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HOUSE No. 6. 



REPORT 



OF THE 



COMMISSIONERS 



APPOINTED BY AN ORDER OF THE 



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEB. 29, 1832, 



ON THE SUBJECT OF THE 



PAUPER SYSTEM 



OF THE 



COIIONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, 



Boston: 

DUTTON AND WENTWORTH, STATE PRINTERS. 
1833. 






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ernmmontoraltt) of $&antwt%uwtt8 



House of Representatives, Feb. 29, 1832. 

Ordered, That five Commissioners be appointed by 
this House, to meet during the recess, to prepare, digest 
and report to the next Legislature, such modification or 
changes in the present Pauper System of the Common- 
wealth, as they may deem expedient ; and that said 
Commissioners be authorised to appoint an agent (if 
they deem such appointment expedient) to visit as ex- 
tensively, as shall be necessary to obtain full information 
on the subject, the principal establishments in the Com- 
monwealth and elsewhere, for the public charge and 
support of the poor ; to collect the statistics of those 
institutions ; and to report the facts so obtained to the 
Commissioners : and the following gentlemen were ap- 
pointed to constitute the Board of Commissioners, in 
pursuance of the above order, namely : 

Hon. WILLIAM B. CALHOUN, 
Hon. HENRY SHAW, 
JOSIAH CALDWELL, Esq. 
GEORGE A. TUFTS, Esq., and 
Rev. JOSEPH TUCKERMAN. 

Attest. 

L. S. CUSHING, Clerk. 



REPORT. 



The Commissioners appointed by the House of Repre- 
sentatives on the 29th of February, 1832, to "prepare, 
digest, and report to the next Legislature, such modifi- 
cations, or changes in the Pauper System of the Com- 
monwealth as they may deem expedient, with author- 
ity to appoint an agent to visit, as extensively as shall 
be necessary to obtain full information upon this sub- 
ject, the principal establishments in the Common- 
wealth, and elsewhere, for the public charge and sup- 
port of the poor, to collect the statistics of these insti- 
tutions, and to report the facts so obtained to the Com- 
missioners ;" would now respectfully Report to this 
House : 



That, in recurring to the laws of this Commonwealth 
respecting the poor, they find, that, so early as A. D. 
1639, that is, eight years after the first settlement that 
was made in Boston, it was "ordered by the Court" of 
the Colony and Province of Massachusetts Bay, "that any^ 
2h 



shire court, or any two magistrates out of court, shall have 
power, to determine all difference about the lawful set- 
tling, and providing for, poor persons ; and to dispose of 
all unsettled persons into such towns, as they shall judge 
to be must jit for the maintenance and employment of such 
persons and jamilies, for the ease of this country."*— 
This early provision by law for the poor in Massachu- 
setts is hardly less remarkable, then is the extraordinary 
power, which was at the same time given, for disposing 
of the settlement of those, whose claim might be denied 
to a settlement in the towns in which they might apply 
for assistance. It is, however, to be remembered, that 
the civil fathers of our State had lived under the earliest 
operations of the famous act of the 43d of Elizabeth, 
under which the poor-rates of England have been as- 
sessed, and collected to the present day. The confisca- 
tion of ecclesiastical property in England, in the reign 
of Henry VIII, had thrown upon the country many thou- 
sand beggars, who had previously been supported by the 
church ; and especially, by the monasteries. This very 
mode of supporting the poor had, without doubt, greatly 
increased their number ; for this is the direct tendency, in 
every case, of the substitution of associated and general, 
for particular and personal charity. But, while so sup- 
ported, these poor were not felt to be a burden upon the 
community. The community, indeed, knew but little of 
them, and probably cared still less for them. When, 
however, they could no longer obtain supplies from these 
sources, they became clamorous in their demands upon 
private individuals, and upon families. Their numbers, 
habits, wants and wretchedness, were forced upon the 

*Se© the Charters and General Laws of the Colony and Province of Mas- 
sachusetts Bay, published by order of the General Court, 1814. p. 173- 



public notice ; and the interferences of the Legislature, 
for the purpose of aiding them, as far as possible, in ob- 
taining a comfortable subsistence from the products of 
their own labour, seemed to be at once as practical and 
wise, as it was humane. Two hundred thousand 
pounds were therefore appropriated by Parliament, for 
" the support of the aged, blind, impotent and sick ; 
for the employment of children whose parents could 
not maintain them ; for the apprenticing of poor chil- 
dren ; and, for setting the idle to work." Commend- 
able, however, in themselves as were these purposes, 
they were, as far as the relief of the necessitous and 
impotent were concerned, the proper purposes, not of 
legal enactments, but of christian humanity and char- 
ity. The acts here referred to, were, in truth, 
though they seemed not at the time of their passage to 
have been, direct violations of great elementary princi- 
ples. And the effect of this interposition of human law, 
to secure obedience to a plain and oft repeated law of 
God, was, and has been to this day, to produce an in- 
creased, and even frightfully increasing extent of the beg- 
gary and crime, which it was intended to remedy. It 
would indeed be unjust to say, that the evils of this system 
of provision for the poor might have been foreseen. It is 
easy, when consequences have occurred, to imagine that 
they might have been anticipated. But this act of 
Elizabeth, and the enactment of the fathers of Massa- 
chusetts in 1639, were intended for good ; and seemed 
to promise a good no less than the redemption of multi- 
tudes from idleness, and want, and debasement, and the 
extremest misery. Time was required to test the prin- 
ciple of this provision for the poor ; and on this, as on 
many other subjects, time and experience have proved, 



8 

that the best principles may be injudiciously applied, and 
in their misapplication be made causes of the very evils 
they were intended to obviate ; that it is the part of true 
wisdom, as well with Legislatures as with subjects, in 
prospective plans which give even the best promise of 
success, to leave a way for the escape, or the correction, 
of unanticipated evils ; and, that great vigilance is to be 
maintained, if we would that temporary expedients, eith- 
er by neglect, or a mistaken policy, be not perpetuated 
till they become established, and unchangeable usages. 
The first grant of Parliament for carrying into effect the 
act of Elizabeth was, £200,090. The amount of poor 
rates, assessed for the year 1828, was, £7,784,356.— And 
this sum, of between thirty four and thirty five millions of 
dollars was applied, in part to eke out the wages of the 
poor who received it, — thus acting as a bounty upon the 
oppression of their employers ; and, in part, was distri- 
buted by the Vestries, or by their agents, to the poor who 
could not obtain employment, in weekly instalments pro- 
portioned to the number of children in the families which 
applied for it, — thus acting directly as a bounty upon the 
increase of population. These solemn results are mat- 
ters of history ; and the consequences of the substitu- 
tion of this compulsory process for the relief of the poor, 
for that individual and willing charity, which has rarely 
failed to be efficient where it has been left free, stand 
among the records of the two last centuries, as one of 
the most solemn and admonitory lessons which the events 
of those centuries suggest, for the guidance of the Legis- 
latures of all countries, which are either yet to settle the 
principles on which they are to act in regard to the poor ; 
or, which have it in their power to modify any existing 
laws, or institutions, by which a country is threatened 
with a calamity like that of English Pauperism. 



To the act of the Legislature of our State, in 1639, 
we trace the "Pauper System" under which we are now- 
living. Additional enactments, which recognized the 
same principles which are involved in the act referred to, 
were passed in 1659. Another, however, and a still 
more injurious measure, was adopted in 1675. "This 
Court," it was then said, "considering the inconvenience 
and damage which may arise to particular towns by such 
as, being forced from their habitations by the present ca- 
lamity of the war, do repair unto them for succour ; do 
order and declare that such persons, being inhabitants of 
this jurisdiction, who are so forced from their habitations, 
and repair to other plantations for relief, shall not, by 
virtue of their residence in such plantations they repair 
unto, be accounted, or reputed inhabitants thereof, or im- 
posed upon them according to law. But, in such case, 
and where necessity requires, by reason of the inability 
of relations, &x., they shall be paid out of the Public 
Treasury."* This, we believe, was the first enactment 
for supplying the poor from the Treasury of the State ; 
and it was obviously designed to have been limited in its 
operations, by the exigencies of the occasion which 
seemed to have demanded it. In subsequent years, how- 
ever, similar grants, or allowances, continued to be made. 
The principle on which they were founded had been ad- 
mitted ; and the exigencies were sure to arise, on which 
they might very plausibly be required, and on which, un- 
der such circumstances, it would be very difficult, and 
apparently unequal and unjust, to refuse them. In the 
records made of them, they are so mixed up with allow- 
ances of military accounts, &c, that they are not 
easily to be separated ; and the first distinct statement 

*Colony Laws, pp. 174 — 5. 



10 

of them occurs in the resolves of the June session of 
1792, in which it appears that their amount then was 
$6639 54. In the year 1793 an act was passed, enti- 
tled, "an act assertaining what shall constitute a legal 
settlement, &c. ; and, for repealing all laws heretofore 
made respecting such settlement." Here it was "enact- 
ed, that a married woman shall always have, and follow, 
the settlement of her husband, if he have any within this 
Commonwealth ; otherwise, her own at the time of mar- 
riage, if she had any, shall not be lost, or suspended by 
the marriage. And in case the wife shall be removed to 
her settlement, and the husband shall want relief from the 
State, he shall receive it in the toivn where his wife shall 
have her settlement, at the expense of the Common- 
wealth.*" The subsequent state of law upon this sub- 
ject is w 7 ell known. But although suspicions of abuse 
and evil in practice, growing out of this law, have been 
almost universal, the facts have been wanting, by which 
these suspicions could have been made available for any 
essential improvements in the system. Your Commis- 
sioners think that they are now able to bring the subject 
before the House under better advantages for a fair dis- 
cussion of it, than have before this time been possessed ; 
and they indulge the hope, that principles of legislation 
upon it may now be recognized, and that measures in 
regard to it may be adopted, which will not only do 
much to reconcile interests, which the existing law and 
practice bring into perpetual conflict, but ultimately be 
for the best good and comfort both of the whole commu- 
nity, and of the poor. 

First, however, your Commissioners would state, that, 
by the authority which was given to them, they appoint- 

* See Stearns and Shaws' General Laws of Massachusetts, vol. i. p. 431. 



11 

ed one of their number to visit such towns as he could 
within the Commonwealth, to collect the statistics of 
their institutions for the poor, and to prepare the facts so 
obtained for their examination. The principal part of 
these facts are contained in the Tables, and Statements, 
appended to this Report ; and they are presented in this 
form, because it is believed that the Legislature will 
wish to be in possession of the details, as well as of the 
general circumstances, which belong to this great subject. 
In the discharge of the duty thus assigned to him, this 
agent visited as many towns as he could, within the time 
which he was able to give to this investigation. But as 
the investigation to be made was in some respects a new 
one, and some experience was to be acquired before the 
queries most pertinent to the object could be settled, and 
arranged, the information which was wanted is not 
equally full in the accounts of all the towns which were 
visited. It is to be observed, too, that in some towns 
which were visited, and the general statistics of whose 
alms-houses were obtained, it has been found impractica- 
ble to obtain their accounts of expenses and receipts for 
the last year. In order to save time, which could not 
conveniently be spared when the agent applied for them, 
he made arrangements that these accounts might be 
transmitted to him ; and in towns in which he could not 
obtain an interview with the Overseers, he left his que- 
ries, with a desire that answers to them should be sent 
as soon as might be by mail. But although he has again 
applied for these accounts and answers by letters ad- 
dressed to the Overseers, they have not been received. 
The agent, however, acknowledges the general kind- 
ness with which he was met by the Overseers of the 
Poor, in the towns in which he could obtain a conference 



12 

with them, and their readiness to co-operate with him in 
his objects. Nor is he less sensible than any one else 
will be, that if another commission should be appointed, 
with authority to collect statistics of the poor, the work 
might be far better done than it has now been. But it is 
believed that even this partial, and imperfect survey of the 
ground, has been sufficient to furnish evidence of great 
evils to be remedied, and prevented ; and to lead to 
measues of very great importance to the virtue, security, 
well being and happiness, of many succeeding genera- 
ations. 

First, then, your Commissioners would observe, that in 
sixty-eight towns, containing a population of 264,327 
inhabitants, the whole number of Poor, more or less, as- 
sisted by the Overseers during the last year, estimating 
families, where they are so distinguished in the Tables, 
to have consisted each of four individuals, was 12,331 ; 
that is, supposing them all to have consisted of different 
individuals, about one in 21J of the population. It is, 
however, to be remarked, as will appear from the first 
Table, containing the statistics of the poor in towns 
which have Alms-houses, and land for their employ- 
ment, that in three of these towns, no account was taken 
of their out-door poor ; and in seven towns, in which an 
account of these Poor was taken, the distinctive num- 
bers were not taken of State's and Town's out-door 
Poor. We refer to this circumstance, because it will 
account for a discrepance in the totals given of the 
whole number of out-door poor in these towns, and of 
the number of States and Towns out-door poor. This 
discrepance amounts to 636 ; that is, 636 of the poor 
assisted during the last year, are not accounted for in 
the comparative numbers of out-door States and Towns 



13 

poor. We take the liberty, therefore, to assume — and 
our Tables will bear us out in the assumption, — that 250 
of this deficiency were States poor, and that 386 of 
them were Towns poor. On this ground, therefore, it 
will appear, that of the whole number more or less as- 
sisted during the last year,— that is, of 12,331 poor, 
5,927 were States poor, and 6,063 Were Towns poor ; 
making the excess of Towns over States poor to have 
been only 497. The proportion which it will be per- 
ceived that the States poor bear to the Towns poor, is 
itself a fact of startling interest. We have not the 
means of ascertaining the actual growth of this class of 
the poor. But if it may be estimated by a comparison 
of the States allowance for them in 1792, 3, the amount 
of which, in round numbers, was $14,000, with the 
amount of the allowance twenty-seven years afterwards, 
that is, in 1820, when it was $72,000, it suggests matter 
for very serious consideration. So sensitive, indeed, to 
the increasing weight of the burden, had the Legislature 
become even in 1798, when the allowance was but 
$27,000, that u an act" was passed, " specifying the 
kind of evidence required to accompany accounts ex- 
hibited for the support of the poor of the Common- 
wealth." In 1821, with a view to still further relief 
from the evil, the law limited its allowance to 90 cents 
a week for adults, and to 50 cents for children ; and 
again, for the same end, it was enacted in 1823, that 
" no one over 12, and under 60 years of age, and in 
good health, should be considered a State pauper." 
The allowance is now reduced to 70 cents per week for 
adults, and proportionally for children ; and in the cases 
in which the poor of this class have become an integral 
part of the population of towns, and in which, from 
3h 



14 

week to week, through protracted sickness, or from any 
cause, they arc for the year supported by public bounty, 
the expense for them is sometimes greater than this al- 
lowance. But this is comparatively a small proportion 
of the States poor. Far the largest part, as has been 
made to appear, consists of those who are but occasion- 
ally assisted ; and, in some instances, of those of whom 
there seems to be good reason to infer, from the expense 
accounts, that they make a return in the products of 
their labor to those who have the charge of them, which 
might well exonerate the Commonwealth from any dis* 
bursements for their support. Even 70 cents a week, 
therefore, or any definable allowance, we believe has a 
direct tendency to increase this class of the poor ; for a 
charity will not generally be very resolutely withheld, 
where it is known that, if dispensed, it will soon be re- 
funded. And we leave it to every one to judge whether 
almsgiving, under the influence of this motive, and to a 
single and defined class, has not a direct tendency at 
once to the increase of its numbers, and to a propor- 
tionate earnestness of importunity for it. 

Again. Your Commissioners would observe, that it 
will appear from the Tables herewith presented, that in 
four of the towns visited by the Agent, an account was 
not taken of the comparative numbers of the States and 
Towns poor then in charge of the Overseers. This 
will account for a discrepance also in the totals of these 
poor. The difference between the whole number when 
visited, and the totals of States and Towns poor, is 
146. As the simplest method, therefore, of arriving at 
the nearest approximation to the truth on this subject, 
we apportion 50 of these 146 to the States poor, and 96 
of them to the Towns poor. The numbers then will 



15 

stand thus. When the towns were visited, the poor in 
the charge of the Overseers was 2,512 ; and, of these, 
869 were States poor, and 1,643 were Towns poor. 
That is, the difference between the whole number of 
poor in the charge of the Overseers when the towns 
were visited, and the number more or less assisted in the 
same towns during the last year, was 9,319. And not 
only so. The whole number in the charge of the Over- 
seers, when the towns were visited, was far less than 
half of the number of States poor assisted during the 
last year. From whence, then, arise these differences ? 
Without doubt, in part from the circumstance, that there 
are permanent States poor, who are assisted only occa- 
sionally, and principally in the winter, as many of the 
Towns poor are assisted. In part, too, as has been 
conceded by many, from that prevalent willingness, to 
which we have alluded, to give, when it is known that 
there will be a speedy reimbursement of the charity. 
But it is also not to be doubted, that a large proportion 
of this excess of States poor, more or less assisted dur- 
ing the year, consists of those who are called in the 
statements herewith presented, " wandering, or travel- 
ling poor." The single fact of the existence among us 
of this class of fellow beings, especially considered in 
connexion with the facts, that nearly all of them are 
States poor, and that, to a great extent, they have been 
made what they are by the States provision for them, 
brings the subject before us in a bearing, in which we 
scarcely know whether the call is loudest to the pity we 
should feel for them, or the self-reproach with which we 
should recur to the measures we have sanctioned, and 
which have alike enlarged their numbers, and their mis- 
ery. Nor is it a matter of mere inference from our 



16 

Tables, that the number is very large of these wander- 
ing poor. To a considerable extent, and it is now re- 
gretted that it was not to a greater extent, the inquiry 
was proposed to Overseers of the poor, " how many of 
the wandering, or travelling poor, annually pass under 
your notice ?" And the answers, as will appear in the 
statements, were, from 10 to 50, and 100, and 200. 
Nor is there a more abject class of our fellow beings to 
be found in our country, than is this class of the poor. 
Almshouses, where they are to be found, are their inns, 
at which they stop for refreshment. Here they find 
rest, when too much worn with fatigue to travel, and 
medical aid when they are sick. And, as they choose 
not to labor, they leave these stopping places, when they 
have regained strength to enable them to travel ; and 
pass from town to town, demanding their portion of the 
States allowance for them as their right. And from 
place to place they receive a portion of this allowance, 
as the easiest mode of getting rid of them ; and they 
talk of the allowance, as their "rations;" and, when 
lodged for a time, from the necessity of the case, with 
Towns poor, it is their boast that they, by the States 
allowance for them, support the Towns inmates of the 
house. These unhappy fellow beings often travel with 
females, sometimes, but not always, their wives ; while 
yet, in the towns in which they take up their temporary 
abode, they are almost always recognized, and treated, 
as sustaining this relation. There are exceptions, but 
they are few, of Almshouses in which they are not per- 
mitted to live together. In winter, they seek the towns 
in which they hope for the best accommodations, and 
the best living ; and, where the smallest return will be 
required for what they receive. It is painful thus to 



17 

speak of these human beings ; lest, in bringing their 
degradation distinctly before the mind, we should even 
for a moment check the commiseration, which is so 
strongly claimed for them. We feel bound therefore to 
say, that bad as they are, they are scarcely less sinned 
against in the treatment they receive, than they commit 
sin in the lawlessness of their lives. Every where 
viewed, and feeling themselves to be, outcasts ; pos- 
sessed of nothing, except the miserable clothing which 
barely covers them ; accustomed to beggary, and wholly 
dependent upon it ; with no local attachments, except 
those which grow out of the facilities which in some 
places they may find for a more unrestrained indulgence 
than in others ; with no friendships, and neither feeling 
nor awakening sympathy ; is it surprising that they are 
debased, and shameless ; alternately insolent, and ser- 
vile ; importunate for the means of subsistence, and self 
gratification, and averse from every means, but that of 
begging, to obtain them ? The peculiar attraction of 
these unhappy fellow beings to our Commonwealth, and 
their preference for it, over the States to the south of 
us, we believe is to be found in the legal provision which 
the State has made for them. Your Commissioners 
have indeed but a small amount of direct evidence of 
this. But the testimony of the Chairman of the Over- 
seers in Egremont to this fact, derived from personal 
knowledge, was most unequivocal ; and no doubt 
upon the subject existed in the minds of the Over- 
seers in many other towns. But shall we therefore 
condemn, or even severely blame them ? Consid- 
ered, and treated, in almost every place, as interlopers, 
strollers, vagrants ; as objects of suspicion and dread ; 
and, too often, scarcely as human beings ; the cheapest 



18 

methods are adopted of sending them from town to 
town ; and, often with the assurance given to them, that 
there, and not here, are accommodations for them ; and, 
that there they may enjoy the bounty, which the State 
has provided for them. Would such a state of things, 
your Commissioners ask, have existed in our Common- 
wealth, if a specific, legal provision, had not been made 
for this class of the poor ? Or, we do not hesitate to 
ask, if the Government had never recognized such a 
class of the poor, as that of States poor, — and, above 
all, if compulsory charity, in any form, had never been 
established by our laws, would there have been a twen- 
tieth part of the wandering poor, which now exists in it ; 
or, by any means an equal proportion of poor of any kind, 
with that which is now dependent upon the taxes which 
are raised for them ? Your Commissioners think not. 

Again. There is another fact, in this connection, 
which your Commissioners think to be deserving of dis- 
tinct and serious consideration. We refer to the fact, 
which is sustained by the concurrent judgment of all the 
Overseers under whose notice these wandering poor 
pass, that nearly all of them are able, and if kept from 
ardent spirits, and compelled to work, would shew them- 
selves to be able, to earn their own subsistence. They 
are so far able bodied, that they can travel from early 
spring time, till the cold of the closing year forces them 
to seek for winter quarters ; and then, while many con- 
tinue in the interior of the State, from a preference of 
the towns in which they may be supported while they 
live at liberty, others seek the more comfortable asylums 
of warm, and well furnished Almshouses. The distinc- 
tion is a broad one, and should never be lost sight of, 
between the able idler, and the impotent poor ; for, 



19 

while the duty is most plain, in regard to the latter, and 
enforced alike by the principles of religion and of hu- 
manity, that they are to be supported by those who have 
the means and opportunity of supporting them ; it is 
equally clear, from the same principles, that the able 
bodied, and the idle, have no claim to support from a 
tax upon the capacity, and the property, of the industri- 
ous. On the contrary, we maintain, that the idle and 
able may, and should, be compelled to work, when it is 
manifest that they might, if they would, live by their la- 
bor ; and when they live by beggary, only because they 
are not disposed to labor for their subsistence. With 
regard to them, the rights and duties of the Government 
are unquestionable* A man who has not the means of 
living, because he is idle, and might have them if he 
were industrious, and willing to labor, in proportion to 
his strength, incurs a debt to the community for all that 
he receives from it ; and if he refuses to pay this debt, 
the Government may of right compel him to pay it. 
Hence, in a community in which such idlers are found, 
the Government may authorize the erection of Work 
Houses, for their employment and support. They may 
make appropriations from their Treasury for the erection 
and establishment of such Work Houses ; and may enact 
the laws, by which the peaceable and industrious may 
be defended against the encroachments of the idle, and 
the willing and able beggar ; and by which these offend- 
ers may be made to return to the community, in such 
proportions as they can, for the expenditures which may 
have been incurred for them. The examples which 
will be found in the Statements appended to this Report, 
of the amount of labor which may be done upon the 
highways by a select portion of the poor, and of the very 



20 

class for which county, or district Work Houses are re- 
quired, in addition to those of the success of other 
modes of employing them, are strikingly in point ; and 
are great encouragements to the establishment of these 
institutions, in contradistinction to Almshouses, which 
should be asylums for the impotent, and as far as possi- 
ble, for the virtuous poor. Few circumstances furnish 
more unequivocal indications of an advanced state of 
civilization, than the good condition of those highways 
which are the thoroughfare of a country. Through the 
encouragement of Work Houses, well appointed and 
governed, the Legislature may do much for the county 
roads of our Commonwealth ; and, in this way, at once 
without encroaching upon any of the departments of la- 
bor in which the virtuous poor obtain their subsistence, 
and with a truly parental regard to the well being of all, 
it may provide for many of the wanderings and other 
able bodied States poor, and for some too of the Towns 
poor, not only without entrenching upon any right or 
duty of religion, or of humanity, but in direct accord- 
ance with one of the objects for which Christianity re- 
cognizes its appointment ; that is, that it may be " a 
terror at once to evil doers, and a praise and encourage- 
ment to them that do we'll." 

Again. Your Commissioners think the fact to be de- 
serving of the very serious consideration of the Legisla- 
ture, that while every town which was visited, and to 
which the inquiry was proposed, ' are the Overseers of 
the poor more ready to aid those known as States poor, 
because there is a State allowance for them ? J disclaim- 
ed for itself the disposition in any way to abuse this pro- 
vision ; the exception yet scarcely occurred, in which the 
suspicion, or the conviction was not expressed, of abuses 



21 

of this provision in other towns, which were freely 
named; and, even of a far more widely extended abuse 
of it, than would be susceptible of proof by legal evi- 
dence. Your Commissioners would express no opinion 
of the correctness, or of the incorrectness, of this judg- 
ment. They bring it before the Legislature, as one of 
the actual and great, perhaps inevitable, but certainly 
admonitory circumstances, in the connexion, which can 
hardly fail to exert an important influence upon the de- 
cision to be made, on the subject of a State provision for 
the poor. Kindly disposed as our towns are towards 
each other, and generous as are the sentiments with 
which we see them regarding each other's interests, and 
strong as are the bonds of trade, and friendship, and 
kindred, by which their sympathies and interests are 
connected, it is yet well known, that there are sometimes 
conflicting interests between them. And for what more 
important than these exigencies are the annual meetings 
of our Legislatures required? What higher object, or 
duty, has the Legislature of our favored State, than to 
devise the means of lessening, as far as may be practi- 
cable, the causes of suspicion between towns ; of recon- 
ciling differences which may arise between them ; of 
maintaining to each one its own rights and possessions ; 
and, of guarding, with impartial fidelity, and with equal 
watchfulness, the rights and interests of all ? With the 
exception of the suspicion, and conviction, here referred 
to, — for in some places it was but suspicion, while in 
others it was strong conviction, — your Commissioners 
know of no prevailing cause of unkindly feeling in the 
towns of our Commonwealth towards each other. But 
this they know to be a standing, and an increasing cause, 
of far other feelings than those of respect, or kindness. 
4h 



22 

They are fully aware of all the care, and caution, which 
are required, in the adoption of a remedy for so long 
continued and deep settled an evil, as is our " pauper 
system" as by law established. But they not only think 
that the evil is not remediless, but that there is a wide 
spread disposition in the Commonwealth to co-operate 
in a well matured plan for as complete as possible a 
correction of it. The evil, it is believed, is now appre- 
hended in its true character, as it has not before been ; 
and the conviction of its tendency to an indefinite 
growth, and consequently to an entailment of an indefi- 
nite extent of want, and misery, and vice, upon our pros- 
perity, is as strong as that of its past increase, or of its 
immediate greatness. We wish not unnecessarily to en- 
large upon this, or upon any topic ; but only to present 
each with sufficient distinctness to obtain for it the 
consideration which it may justly claim. 

Again. Your Commissioners would call attention to 
the manner of disposing of the poor, as it is presented in 
the statements here adduced, in towns which have not 
land for their employment ; to the comparative expendi- 
tures for the poor in these places, when they are aided, 
or supported while at large, and when they are gathered 
into poor-houses ; and, to a comparative view of the ex- 
penditures for the poor in the towns which have provid- 
ed farms, previous to, and after this provision has been 
made for them. These are circumstances of great im- 
portance, not only for the consideration of the Legisla- 
ture upon the questions which the whole subject will 
bring before them, but not less for the instruction of 
towns, as to the best modes which have yet been adopt- 
ed among us, for the charge of the poor. 

In regard to the manner of disposing of the poor at 



23 

auction to the lowest bidder for them, your Commission- 
ers would only remark, that there is an increasing sensi- 
bility, in many of the towns where this practice is still 
retained, as well as to the question of its propriety, as a 
matter of moral right, as of its economy ; and that a 
strong solicitude is expressed in these, as indeed it is in 
all towns, to know what other towns have done, and are 
doing with their poor, and the results, both moral and 
pecuniary, of the experiments which have been made of 
the various modes of supporting them. With respect, 
however, to the towns first referred to, that is, in which 
farms have not been provided for the poor, the advanta- 
ges, both moral and pecuniary, are most manifest in the 
cases, in which the poor have been gathered into poor- 
houses, over the results in the same towns, when the poor 
were supported at large in them. For example, previous 
to the last nine years, when the poor in Framingham were 
disposed of in a mass to the lowest bidder, the annual 
cost for them was from 12, to $1400. But, since that 
time, they have been in the care of individuals who 
contracted for the charge of the whole of them, and 
who had the right to avail themselves of their capacities 
of labour ; and the cost for them has been diminishing, 
till, for the last three years, its amount has been but 
$535, a year. Again. Previous to the last twelve years, 
the poor in Pittsfield were boarded out by the Overseers, 
in private families ; and the average cost for them then 
was, $1600, a year. For the first six of these twelve 
years, during which they were supported by a contractor 
who had provided a house for them, the cost for them 
was, $1050, a year ; and for the last six of these twelve 
years, a second contractor, who had also provided a 
house for those who should require the charity of the 



24 

town, took the whole pecuniary responsibility for the 
poor, for $1100, a year, and half of the States allow- 
ance for the States poor. Again. In the town of Deer- 
field, the poor, for the last ten years, have been in the 
charge of one individual, who contracted to take them 
for that term for $450, per annum, from the town, with 
the addition of the States allowance for the States poor, 
and the amount which might be obtained from other 
towns, for the charge of their poor. This contract was 
made, in consequence of the offer of the contractor to 
take the w 7 hole pecuniary responsibility for the poor for ten 
years, at ten per cent less than they had cost the town dur- 
ing the preceding ten years. And, still more remarkable is 
the case furnished by the town of Sheffield, where, previ- 
ous to the last five years, the poor dependent on the Over- 
seers had lived at large. In this town, for the last five years, 
they have been in the charge of one individual, who provid- 
ed an almshouse for them, at which only, except in cases of 
extreme necessity, the town would assist them. During 
the year before this provision, forty nine poor were in 
the charge of the Overseers ; and the cost for them was 
$1967. But when it was made known, that the con- 
tractor would give assistance to none but at the alms- 
house, except in cases of illness in which they could not 
be removed to it, only seventeen of these forty nine 
could be persuaded, on these terms, to accept of aid from 
the town. Two of the States poor at once removed to 
Egremont, an adjoining town, where they could be sup- 
ported while living at large ; and where they still were, 
when the agent of your Commissioners visited that town ; 
and where for four years they have received, and still 
continue to receive, the State allowance. The conse- 
quence was, an immediate reduction of expenses for the 



poor, to a sum less than half of that which had before 
been required for them ; and the whole cost for the poor 
of this town, during the last year, was, $665. It is 
worthy of being noted also, that when the agent of the 
Commissioners visited the Almshouse in Sheffield, in No- 
vember last, there were in it but eight inmates. Nor 
have the moral advantages of this mode of providing for 
the poor, over that of setting them up at auction to the 
lowest bidder, been less than the pecuniary. The idle 
and able-bodied, who yet love liberty more than they 
hate labor, have been induced, or compelled to work, 
rather than submit ta the restraints of an almshouse ; 
and the thriftless have been made provident and careful, 
that they might eke out a more comfortable living from 
their own resources. Nor is it an unimportant circum- 
stance, that while the comfort of the permanent and im- 
potent poor is very greatly increased by the cleanli- 
ness, the wholesome food, the clothing and beds, and the 
moral order, of a well regulated almshouse, ? heir hearts and 
characters are equally improved by this provision for them. 
The beneficial effects of a similar change in other places 
have been less striking. But they have been real, and great. 
Nor less interesting and instructive are the results, 
which have come from the experiment of farms for the 
employment, and support of the poor ; especially if we 
regard, in this connexion, the facilities which these es- 
tablishments give, for debarring the poor from the use of 
ardent spirits. For example, we refer to Salem. There, 
we are told, the average expense for the poor for the last 
ten years has been less than half of the average of the 
former ten years in the old Almshouse, in which no work 
was done ; and the number of poor in the house has 
been reduced fifty a year, for the last two years, and the 



26 

house far more easily governed than before. These last 
results are attributed, principally, to an entire disuse of 
ardent spirits in the House. In Lynn, the expense for 
the poor has been diminished $500 a year, for the last 
four years, partly from the disuse of ardent spirits, in 
part from a reduction of the number of the poor, and in 
part from improvements made in the general discipline 
of the House. The average cost for the poor in Wal- 
tham, before the establishment of the farm, was $675, 
per annum ; and the balance against the town for them 
last year was, $239 04. In Littleton, the annual aver- 
age cost for the poor, before their removal to the farm 
provided for them, was $800. But the balance against 
the town for their support last year was, $244 38. In 
Lexington, the Chairman of the Overseers of the Poor 
knows the cost for them, before the establishment of the 
farm, to have been as high as $1600 in a year. But the 
balance against the town for them last year was, $529 75. 
In Marlborough, the average for the poor before their re- 
moval to a farm was, $1550 per annum. And the bal- 
ance against the town for their support last year was, 
$310 78. For other examples, we refer to the annexed 
statements ; observing only, in passing, that while the 
expenditures for the poor in Andover, during the last 
year, were $1880 03 ; the receipts from the farm were? 
$2108 78 ; giving a balance to the town from the estab- 
lishment, of $228 75. The farm there, however, it is 
important to observe, has the great advantage of a brick 
yard upon it ; and the last was a year of extraordinary 
revenue from this source. These, your Commissioners, 
repeat, they think to be very interesting and instructive 
facts. For the capacities of labour among the inmates 
of these establishments, they refer again to the state- 



27 

ments herewith offered. These capacities, it will ap- 
pear, are very few, and small. But the employment of 
them is a great moral, as well as pecuniary good. Too 
great importance, indeed, can hardly be attached to the 
character and qualifications of a superintendent of these 
establishments ; for, on these, almost wholly depend the 
question of the good, or evil results, of the institution. 
But, where there is a well qualified superintendent at 
the head of our almshouse, there is a moral order, and 
a comfort in the house, as well as a saving from the es- 
tablishment, the most gratifying to a benevolent mind. — ■ 
In such almshouses, the food and lodging of the inmates 
are as good, as those of an average of their neighbours ; 
nor are these inmates ever tasked by a service, which is 
not alike salutary for their bodies, and their minds. — 
Generally, also, in proportion as towns are self-depend- 
ent for the charge of the poor, they are inquisitive and 
active upon the questions, how they may at once most 
humanely, and most economically provide for them ; and 
the resources not only of prudence, but of humanity, are 
more and more faithfully employed for provision for them. 
This is a consideration to be well weighed, in veiw of 
every expedient for a legislative provision for the poor ; 
for in proportion as such provision shall chill, or in any 
way check, this feeling in towns of individual responsi- 
bility for the poor, it at once ministers to the increase of 
abject pauperism, and of all the evil consequences which 
are connected with it. 

Again. Your Commissioners would simply advert to 
the number stated in the Tables to have been brought 
to poverty directly, or indirectly, by intemperance ; and, 
to a comparison of this number with that of those from 
which it was derived, and which was the number in the 



28 

charge of the Overseers at the time when the towns re- 
ferred to were visited by the Agent of this Commissioner. 
In a large proportion of these towns, the numbers thus 
said to have been brought to poverty, was determined 
by a very careful examination into the subject ; and the 
Agent of the Commissioners, when seeking for informa- 
t'on upon this subject, again and again expressed to the 
Overseers of the poor, the importance of avoiding all 
exaggeration upon it. On this subject we leave the 
facts without comment. But they are alike admonitory 
to the Legislature, to towns, and to every individual who 
is interested in the cause of human security, virtue and 
happiness. 

These are the principal facts to which your Commis- 
sioners think it important to give distinctness in their 
Report ; as the whole documents on the subject, in as 
compressed a form as could be given to them, will be 
laid before the Legislature. They are glad, however, 
in this connexion, to recal attention to a very able Re- 
port on the Pauper Laws of this Commonwealth, which 
was made in 1821 to the Legislature, by a Committee, 
of which Mr. Quincy, now President of Harvard Univer- 
sity, was Chairman. In that Report, reference is made 
to all the modes described in our Statements, of provid- 
ing for the poor. Since that time, however, the num- 
ber of Almshouses, with farms for the employment and 
support of the poor, has greatly increased ; and an im- 
portant change, important as well to the morals and 
happiness of the poor, as to the wise economy of towns, 
has been, and is going on in the Commonwealth, in the 
disposition made of the poor in towns which have not 
Almshouses, or farms for employing them. Where they 
are swll committed to the care of the lowest bidder for 



29 

them, this bidder is now, far more generally than he was 
in former times, required to take the charge of the whole 
number of the poor, with, perhaps, the exception of a 
few individuals who require a peculiar care ; to provide 
a house in which they may live together; and, by 
placing them under a superintendence, which will do 
something for the cause of moral restraint, and moral 
order among them, to check the tendencies to idleness, 
to intemperance, and to a willing dependence on public 
bounty. Our towns, indeed, require only to be brought 
under the necessity of giving their serious attention to 
the question, * of the wisest methods of providing for the 
poor ?' to secure that attention to it. Let the Legisla- 
ture hold itself bound, by its duty of equal watchfulness 
over all, and of impartial justice towards all, at once to 
defend the peaceful and industrious in their rightful 
possessions, and not to take from them those possessions 
for the support of those who are idle, and who refuse to 
work ; and, as carefully let it recognize the principle, 
that, for the cases of human want and suffering, for which 
God has himself made provision, at once in his word, 
and in the principles of our common nature, human laws 
are not to be interposed to prescribe the manner, or the 
amount of that charity, which want and suffering may 
demand in man from his fellow man ; and we feel as- 
sured, that, although for a time, in the transition state 
during which the Commonwealth's allowance for the 
poor shall first be considerably diminished from what it 
now is, and the diminution continued for a few years, till 
it shall cease, and be utterly abolished, many of the 
States poor, and especially of the wandering poor of 
5h 



30 

this class, maybe brought under increased suffering; 
the number of this whole class of the poor will soon be 
perceived to be gradually decreasing, from the failure 
of the encouragements they have hitherto had to migrate 
into our Commonwealth for support. Let these princi- 
ples be recognized and acted upon, and the whole num- 
ber of poor in the State will gradually be decreasing; 
and the comfort both of those who shall require the aid 
of towns, and of those who may be left wholly to private 
bounty, will be greatly extended. A violation of these 
principles ever has been, and your Commissioners think 
ever will be, followed by disastrous consequences, Let 
there be no laws requiring the support of the poor, and 
the claims of those who need assistance, and who can 
do nothing for themselves, will never in our community 
be disregarded. Let there be no laws requiring the 
support of the poor, and the rights of those who have 
been made poor by circumstances beyond their control 
will be cheerfully acknowledged, and the corresponding 
duties towards them as cheerfully performed. 

" It was impossible for your Committee," says the Re- 
port referred to, of 1821, " while contemplating the effect 
of the existing system of poor laws in Massachusetts, not 
to turn their attention to the state of the same subject in 
England. In this part of the British nation, a system of 
poor laws prevails, having the same original, and a simi- 
lar principle with our own ; and it will be found not only 
that the results of her experience are, in a remarkable 
degree, similar to our own, but, also, that the reasoning 
and opinions of her statesmen, and writers on political 



31 

economy, founded on that experience, are singularly co- 
incident with the facts detailed, and the opinions express- 
ed, in almost every important document obtained from 
the returns of the Overseers of the poor in Massachusetts. 
In contemplating these coincidencies, the anxiety of your 
Committee was not allayed, but on the contrary their 
sense of the vital importance to Massachusetts of adopting 
a just system on this subject, was in an extreme degree 
augmented, by a comparison of the effects of their com- 
mon pauper system upon the pecuniary resources of Eng- 
land, and upon those of this Commonwealth. The re- 
turns of the towns, under the request of the Legislature 
at their last session, being in point of number but a little 
more than half of all the towns in the Commonwealth, 
it is impossible for your Committee to compare the 
gross aggregate of all the pauper expenses of the Com- 
monwealth, with those of Great Britain. But if the pro- 
portion of the increase of the payments out of the Treas- 
ury of this Commonwealth, for the last twenty years, be 
taken as an evidence of the proportion of the increase of 
the pauper burden on Massachusetts, then the proportion 
of the increase of the pauper burden on Massachusetts 
has exceeded, in a given number of years, the proportion 
of the increase of the pauper burden of Great Britain. It 
appears by an official statement made in the year 1816, to 
the House of Commons, and published in a report of a 
select committee of that House, on the poor laws, that 
the proportion of the increase of the British poor rate, 
between the years 1785, and 1815, was, in round num- 
bers, from two millions sterling, to five millions. In 
other words, there was an increase of three-fifths in thirty 



32 



years. According to an annexed Statement* of the 
Treasurer of Massachusetts, it appears that the increase 
of the payments out of the Treasury out of this State, on 
pauper accounts, between the years 1800 and 1321, was, 
in round numbers, from $28,000 to $72,000 ; in other 
words, an increase of three-fifths in twenty years.f 



* We here subjoin the Statement referred to. 



Fears. 


Amount allowed 
Winter Session. 


Amount allowed 
Summer Session. 


Total amount 
for the Year. 


REMARKS. 


1801 
1811 
1812 
1813 
1814 
1815 
1816 
1817 
1818 
1819 
1820 


$18,395 69 
31,846 10 
31,002 80 
32,306 35 
37,207 69 
36,228 43 
36,722 34 
30,550 41 
39,098 50 
39.613 52 
47,327 13 


$ 9,704 39 
20,283 82 
20,257 20 
22,696 02 
23,150 06 
21,186 94 
26,249 58 
35,245 75 
27,458 43 
32,543 37 
25,335 41 


$28,100 08 
52,129 92 
51,260 00 
55,002 37 
60,357 75 
57,415 37 
62,971 92 
65,796 16 
66,556 93 
72,156 89 
72,662 54 


Of the amount of pauper 
accounts allowed in the 
June Session, 1818, and 
January Session, 1819, 
there were from Massachu- 
setts Proper, $54,188 70 
Maine, - - 12,883 25 

$67,071 95 



A true abstract. 



(Signed) 



Treasury Office, January, 182J. 
DANIEL SARGENT Treasurer. 



We are glad to be able, in addition to this Statement, to give the amount 
allowed by the Commissioners on Accounts for the support of State paupers 
from June, 1792, to January, 1801. 



Years. 



Amount. 



1793 


$1 4,4*4 71 


1794 


15,735 29 


1795 


l/,9-J8 87 


1796 


19.886 25 


1797 


20,826 53 


1798 


27,028 12 


1799 


25,742 11 


1800 


26,394 37 



REMARKS. 



These Amounts were furnished by the Secretary 
of the Treasury. That of 1793 comprehends the al- 
lowance in the June Session of 1792, which was 
$6,639 54. The other A mounts are the Totals of the 
June and January Sessions, except that in 1796 
there were three allowances; that is, in January, 
June, and November. 



f Is not this increase nearly eight-fifths ? 



33 

Without pretending to assert that the payments out of 
the Treasury of the State is a true criterion of the in- 
crease of the pauper burden in Massachusetts, your Com- 
mittee do consider themselves justified by the fact, 
in concluding that the pernicious consequences of the ex- 
isting system are palpable ; that they are increasing ; 
and that they imperiously call for the interference of the 
Legislature, in some manner equally prompt and effica- 
cious.*" 

The radical evil of the act of the 43d of Elizabeth, 
which provided for a compulsory support of the poor, 
and of the order by the Court of the Colony and Pro- 
vince of Massachusetts Bay in 1639, was in the very 
principle of the substitution of such a provision for them, 
for that which God has himself made alike in the very 
constitution of human nature, and throughout the records 
of his revealed will. Nor is this all. For while the act 
of Elizabeth directly required that the sum granted should 
be applied to the setting the idle to work, and the order 
of our own Court was for the employment, as well as 
maintenance of the poor, neither of them adopted any 
measures, or prescribed any means, by which the object 
of the enactment, or of the order, could be obtained. 
The consequence in England is well known to have been, 
that the idle, aware of the provision which was made for 
them by law, on the condition that they would work for 
it, were willing to offer their services for work, when it 
was known that no work could be given to them. They 
had, however, earned their share of the appropriation 
which had been made for them, by the offer to work ; 
and it could not be withheld from clamorous importuni- 
ty, when the failure of compliance with the terms on 

* See printed Report, pp. % & 



54 

which the wages had been offered by the Government, 
was wholly in those to whom it belonged to pay these 
wages to those who had earned them. This provision 
for the employment of the idle became, therefore, as a 
matter of course, a direct bounty upon idleness ; and 
idleness and vagrancy, in a large part of the parent 
country, have grown in a fearful proportion to the poor 
rates of that country. To exonerate ourselves from the 
possible charge of exaggeration in this view of a legal 
and compulsory provision for the poor, we avail ourselves 
of a high, and impartial authority. We mean, that of 
Dr. Chalmers of Glasgow. In his Treatise on Political 
Economy, recently republished here, he says of " this sys- 
tem of legal charity," that it "is replete with all mis- 
chief." That "it has deadened the charity of relatives, 
the charity of immediate neighbours, and the charity of 
the affluent." That " in proportion to the largeness of 
its dispensations, we behold a more straitened and dis- 
tressed, and withal, a greatly suffering peasantry." — And, 
how is it," he adds, " that indigence has been so multi- 
plied under this system ? Not alone by the imprudence 
which it has generated ; as may be seen in the reckless 
marriages, and the relaxed industry and economy of the 
people. But also in the vice which it has generated; 
the low and loathsome dissipation ; the profligacy of both 
sexes ; with all the mischiefs which proceed from idle- 
ness; and through which the pauperism of England has 
become so deeply responsible for its immoralities, and its 
crimes. And, again, how is it that charity has waxed 
cold ? Because law has endeavoured, however unsuc- 
cessfully, to cut off the occasions, and the calls, which 
nature had provided for its exercise. Hence the aban- 
donment of children by their parents, and the desertion 



35 

of parents by their children. Hence the frequent spec- 
tacle, in every parish, of runaway husbands, and of near- 
est relatives alienated in affection, because released from 
the obligation of duty to each other. Nor has it only 
weakened the cement which binds together the contigu- 
ous parts of the social edifice. It has effected a menac- 
ing disruption, or rent, between the higher and lower 
divisions of it. There is in England a gulf of separation 
between the rich and the poor, exemplified, we believe, 
in no other land ; where the parties regard each other 
as natural enemies, — the one challenging what they feel 
to be their rightful allowances, and the other resisting 
what they fear to be interminable, and at length ruinous 
demands. The poor look to the rich as hard hearted 
oppressors, detaining with stern gripe what nature and 
humanity determine to be theirs ; and the rich look to 
the poor, as so many poachers on their domain. Nor 
can we imagine a state of greater precariousness, than 
that into which this system of public charity has brought 
us ; or one which bodes more fearfully for the good or- 
der, or rather, the stability of the Commonwealth. It 
has, in fact, vitiated and distempered the whole breath 
of society in England. There now sits an unnatural 
scowl on the aspect of the population ; a resolved stur- 
diness in their attitude and gait; and, whether we look 
to the profane recklessness of their habits, or to the deep 
and settled hatred that rankles in their hearts, we can- 
not but read, in these moral characteristics of this land, 
the omens of some great and impending overthrow."* 

Is this a true picture of the moral state of England, in 
view of its pauperism, and its legal provisions for the 

* Chalmer* on Political Economy, p. 404—7. 



36 

poor ? May God grant that the lesson may be sent home, 
with power and effect, to the Legislatures of the States 
in our Union ! Solemn, in the view of your Commis- 
sioners, is the responsibility which lies upon our own 
Commonwealth, for its agency, however unwitting, in 
having created so much of the mass which is found here 
of pauperism and wretchedness, by the provision which 
has annually been granted for supporting it. And when, 
to this consideration, it is added, that every individual of 
the reckless and vicious poor contributes his, or her share, 
to the hardening of the heart against the best sympathies 
of our common nature ; that every individual of them 
contributes a share to the diminution of the charities that 
would be extended to, and the comforts that would be 
obtained by, the virtuous poor ; and that, through their 
character and example, intemperance and profligacy are 
spread among other classes of the poor ; we cannot doubt 
that the obligation will be strongly felt to admit the im- 
mediate, and paramount claims of this subject ; and to 
lose no time in the work of devising the means, and 
adopting the measures, by which, legal charity having 
been abolished, and every town being left free to be 
charitable only in the way which itself shall choose, and 
institute, a more humane and Christian state of things in 
regard to the poor, and the whole poor, may be establish- 
ed among us. 

" It. forms no exception to our principle," adds the dis- 
tinguished political economist whose words we have be- 
fore cited, " but is rather its legitimate consequence, that 
while we deprecate a legal and compulsory provision for 
indigence, there is a certain species of public charity, 
which we advocate to the uttermost. There are certain 
distresses incidental to humanity, the inflictions of neces- 



37 

sity and nature, which cannot be too openly, or too libe- 
rally provided for. There is all the difference that can 
be imagined, both in principle and effect, between an in- 
stitution for the relief of want, and an institution for the 
relief of disease. The one multiplies its objects. Not 
so the other. The one enlists the human will on its side. 
The other will ever remain the object of painful reluc- 
tance, and revolt, to all the feelings of our nature. Open 
a door for the admission of the indigent, and we shall 
behold a crowd of applicants increasing every year, be- 
cause lured thitherward by the inviting paths of indolence 
and dissipation. Open a door for the admission of the 
diseased," — and we may add, for the deaf and dumb, the 
insane, the idiot, the blind, — " and we shall have only a 
definite number of applicants. Men will become volun- 
tarily poor. But they will not become voluntarily blind, 
or deaf, or maimed, or lunatic. It is thus that while an 
asylum for want creates more objects than it can satisfy ; 
an asylum for disease creates none, but may meet all 
and satisfy all. Public charity has been profuse, where 
it should have done nothing ; and it has been niggardly, 
where it should have done much. It is a disgrace to our 
philanthropic age, if infirmaries, or dispensaries, or asy- 
lums, whether for the cure of mental, or bodily disease, 
or for the keeping of that which is incurable, are left to 
languish for the want of support ; or are compelled to 
stop short, ere the necessity for which they were insti- 
tuted has been fully, and finally overtaken."* 

Other facts and considerations than we have adduced 
will be furnished by our Tables and Statements, which 
we believe will throw light upon the operations and con- 

* Chalmers' Political Economy, Glasgow edition, pp. 418, 19, 

6h 



38 

sequences of our poor laws. Leaving these, as well as 
those of which we have here availed ourselves, to those to 
whose examination w r e are desirous that they should be 
submitted, we would further only briefly remark, that in- 
creased and increasing as are the expenses, which are 
consequent upon a legal and compulsory provision for the 
poor, in any form which may be given to it, these are 
yet unworthy of a thought, when compared with the 
moral evils of the system. In the only body of Chris- 
tians, either in our own country or in England, which has 
confined itself to the obligations of Christian charity, 
without any regard to legal and compulsory provisions 
for the poor, the number dependant upon charity has 
been as nothing, when compared with the number of the 
same class in other sects. We refer to the Society of 
Quakers, or Friends. And their principle and practice, 
in this respect, stand out in most honorable prominence, 
at once as evidence, that when the law of Christian 
charity is left to its unchecked operation, it will be suffi- 
cient for the demands that will be made upon it ; and, 
that it is the sure and benignant effect of this charity, 
unlike that of law, which alienates, to bind more closely 
together those who impart, and those who receive it. 
Human laws may punish crime, and they may do much 
beside to prevent it. But they cannot compel virtue. 
And, independent of this consideration, it maybe remark- 
ed of all legislative provisions for the support of the poor, 
that, however wisely in other respects they may be 
framed, their execution must be committed to a very nu- 
merous body of men, to be annually elected, and to a 
great extent to be annually changed. It therefore almost 
every where happens, that the majority, and not unfre- 
quentlythat the wholeof theBoard, aftereach election, are 



39 

to act only for the current year. The duties of the office 
are, however, complex ; requiring not only a full compre- 
hension of the law upon the subject, but considerable 
attention and experience to qualify for a just and wise 
application of it. And how many, pre-engaged as men 
are by other concerns, will give to the subject, in view 
of a year's service in it, the care and attention which it 
demands from them? On the contrary, how very large 
a proportion of this body, solicitous principally not to in- 
cur censure in the discharge of their trust, will get as 
soon as possible into the established routine, with very 
little regard to the nature and tendency of established 
usages ? The high responsibilities of the office being thus 
divided, and proportionably lessened, are scarcely felt ; 
and growing evils are witnessed, and acknowledged, with- 
out calling forth a serious effort to repress, or even to check 
them. We take the ground, therefore, that be compul- 
sory laws of charity as wise as they may, and as well 
suited to their end as human sagacity can make them, 
they never can be wisely and efficiently administered. 
They carry within themselves the seeds, or principles, of 
their own perversion, and abuse. They do much to sep- 
arate, instead of connecting the classes of society, and to 
benumb, rather than to quicken, and give force to, the 
sensibilities of the prospered towards the poor. And 
they create an indefinite amount of artificial poverty ; and, 
through the increase of this poverty, they lead to an in- 
definite increase of abjectness, misery, and crime.* 

* One of the greatest difficulties which was experienced in collecting 
the Statistics which are here given of the poor, arose from the fact, 
that the Overseers from whom they were obtained had never sustained 
the office till the present year ; that, till their election to it, they had given 
little or no attention to the town's accounts of the poor, or to the practice of 



40 

In view of these facts and considerations, your Com- 
missioners propose to this House, and through this 
House, to the Legislature of the Commonwealth ; 

1st. That in each of the three successive years of 
1833, 1334, and 1335, the allowance now granted for 
the States poor be diminished one third of its present 
amount ; and that, after the year 1 835, there shall be no 
longer a recognition of States poor by the Government 
of this Commonwealth. 

2d. That the law respecting habitancy, now establish- 
ed in this Commonwealth, shall be so far modified and 
changed, that from and after the year 1835, all the re- 
quisitions of this law respecting the charge and support 
of the poor shall be repealed, and abolished ; and every 
town and county in the State shall be left free upon all 
questions respecting the charge and support of the poor. 

3d. As Government was instituted for the security of 
the life, liberty, and property of the subject, and as 
neither liberty, property nor life are safe, while the idle 
and able-bodied may without restraint demand support 
from the industrious and the thrifty, it is therefore the 
duty of the Government to protect the last class against 
the unjust demands and incursions of the first. As far, 
therefore, as this protection may require that any addi- 
tional power should be given, in order that the able-bodi- 

Overseers : and, in some instances, that they had not in their possession any 
records of their predecessors. Now and then, though not often, it occurred, 
that the Chairman of the Board had held the office, and perhaps some oth- 
ers in it, for a numher of successive years ; and had been allowed to bring 
the knowledge which their experience had given them, to bear upon its du- 
ties. And in these towns little, or no difficulty was found in obtaining the 
information which was sought, 



41 

ed, who shall apply for charity to any town or county in 
the Commonwealth, and shall actually receive the sup- 
port applied for, may be compelled to work, your Com- 
missioners recommend that this power be given to the 
Overseers of the poor, and the Directors of work-houses, 
to compel the labour of such idle-bodied receivers of 
their bounty, to an extent to defray all expenses that 
may have been incurred for them, and to make a reason- 
able compensation for the care that may have been taken 
of them. 

4th. As a means of checking, and of preventing idle- 
ness, and beggary, where there is ability for self-support, 
your Commissioners recommend that Government should 
appropriate such an amount as they may think proper, to 
be granted to counties, or districts in the Commonwealth, 
upon a scale proportioned in each case to their popula- 
tion ; provided these counties, or districts, or any of 
them, shall agree and determine to build county or dis- 
trict workhouses, for the employment of the idle and 
able-bodied, who may receive aid, or support in them. 

5th. As it is believed by your Commissioners, and by 
all, as they think, who have given attention to the sub- 
ject, that pauperism in its worst form, as well as crime, 
is increased and extended in the Commonwealth, by the 
unsuitableness of our County Jails, and Houses of Cor- 
rection, for the exertion of any useful moral influence 
upon those who are, or may be committed to them, and 
even by their direct and strong tendencies utterly to de- 
stroy any remains of self-respect, or of moral feeling 
which may be carried into them ; the attention of the 
Government should be given as promptly as may be to 
the character, and condition of these institutions. Your 



42 

Commissioners therefore recommend, that a committee 
be appointed by this House, for the special purpose of 
visiting the County Jails, and Houses of Correction in 
the Commonwealth, of collecting statistics respecting 
them, and of reporting to the House upon the measures 
required to make these institutions effectual to the pur- 
poses for which they were intended. 

6th. As there is not only a manifest injustice in the 
practice, which is but too prevalent, of sending the poor 
from town to town in order to be relieved from the 
charge of them ; and, as this conduct toward the poor, 
though it may relieve some towns from an immediate care 
and expense, has yet contributed largely to the increase 
of the class of the wandering poor, and thus to the general 
burden of expense, as well as to the increase of want 
and wretchedness ; your Commissioners recommend, 
that a penalty be attached to this practice, sufficiently 
heavy, or some other provision adopted, to effect and se- 
cure its discontinuance in our State. 

7th. As there is an increasing disposition in towns to 
establish institutions, in which the poor may live togeth- 
er in a family, rather than at large, and in which all who 
have any capacity for labour may be required to employ 
that capacity for their own, and the support of their fel- 
low inmates ; and, as there is no model institution in 
our Commonwealth, which admits of such classification 
as should be made and maintained, at once from sympa- 
thy with the virtuous and impotent poor, for the restraint 
of the vicious poor, and the prevention of pauperism ; 
your Commissioners recommend that the Legislature in- 
cur some expense for obtaining plans of Almshouses, and 
Workhouses, which will supply towns and counties with 



43 

a knowledge of the most effectual, and at the same time 
the most economical modes, of separating, classifying, 
and in other respects providing for, the poor inmates of 
these institutions. 

8th. Your Commissioners recommend that the Legis- 
lature provide by law, for an annual statistical return of 
the poor, and of the prisoners in every County Jail, and 
House of Correction, in every town and county in the 
Commonwealth. 

9th. Your Commissioners would finally recommend, 
that a committee be appointed, in view of this Report, 
and the documents accompanying it, to prepare a Bill, 
or Bills, and such resolutions as may be required on the 
basis of the principles, and for the acccomplishment of 
the purposes, here proposed ; and, as soon as may be, to 
make report of said Bill, or Bills, and resolutions, to 
this House. 

Respectfully submitted, 

W. B. CALHOUN, 
H. SHAW, 
J. CALDWELL, 
J. TUCKERMAN. 
January llth, 1835. 



STATEMENTS. 

First. — Of Almshouses which have more or less land for the employ- 
ment and support of the poor ; of expenditures and receipts for the 
poor in the towns in which they are so provided for ; with general 
facts, and remarks, which could not conveniently be stated in Tables, 

COUNTY OF SUFFOLK. 

BOSTON. 

Boston has two distinct Boards for the charge of the poor, viz : the Over 
seers of the Poor, and the Directors of the House of Indus tiy. The Over- 
seers give relief only to the poor who are at large in the city. The Directors 
of the House of Industry have the charge of those only who are in the 
House. 

The House of Industry contains fifty five lodging rooms in the main house 
for the poor, and thirty two in two out houses. That is, it has eighty seven 
lodging rooms for the poor. It has also six cells for the punishment of re- 
fractory inmates, six dormitories for insane men, and eight for insane women. 
Husbands and wives are not allowed to live in the same room. The centre 
of the building contains apartments for the family of the superintendent, and 
others for the officers of the establishment. The male inmates live in the 
eastern wing, and the females in the western. There is also a Chapel in 
the House, in which the inmates worship on Sunday, and a school house in 
which the children are instructed. 

When this establishment was commenced, it was intended for the recep- 
tion and employment of the able bodied poor, who should claim the charity 
of the city : and, hence it was called the House of Industry. But it has no 
effectual means of detaining this class of the poor, when they are disposed to 
make their escape from it. They go to it, therefore, only for temporary re- 
lief, when they are worn down by intemperance or disease ; and leave it as 
soon as they have acquired strength to return to their former indulgences in 
the city, or to lead a wandering life in travelling over the country. Instead 
of being a House of Industry, the institution has therefore become at once, a 
general Infirmary — an Asylum for the insane, and a refuge for the deserted 
and most destitute children of the city. So great is the proportion of the 
aged and infirm, of the sick, insane, idiots, and helpless children in it, that 



45 

nearly all the effective labor of the females, and much of that of the males, 
is required for the care of those who cannot take care of themselves. 
Cooking, washing and ironing, making and mending clothes, scouring 
the house, nursing the sick, and the charge of small children and lunatics, 
make a great amount of labor. For these reasons, the House of Industry 
furnishes a very unfair specimen of the self-supporting capacities of the 
poor. During the spring, summer and autumn, the cultivation of the 
farm and garden employs most of the ablest men, and oakum picking 
the more infirm. There are generally two or three carpenters among the 
inmates, one or two blacksmiths, as many shoemakers, and sometimes a 
mason. For these, employment is found in making repairs within, and about 
the buildings. 

It is a great evil of the institution, that the children who are in it cannot 
be kept apart from its adult inmates. 

The cost per week for board and clothing is estimated to be about eighty 
cents for adults, and fifty cents for children. 

The Directors of the House of Industry, and the Overseers of the poor, 
have no salaries. The salary of the Superintendent of the House, is $1,000; 
of the assistant superintendent, $650 ; of the farmer, $250; of the overseer 
of the kitchen, $130 ; of the overseer of the clothing department, $230 ; of 
the teacher of the female children, $159 ; of the instructor of the boys, $104 . 
of the physician, $300; of the chaplain, $260. Total of salaries, $2,983 00; 

In a letter of the date of October 10th, 1832, the Superintendent of the 
House of Industry says, " within the last three weeks, sixty seven persons 
have been admitted here, of whom fifty eight are State paupers. Many of 
them are recent emigrants, who were half starved on the passage out; and 
who landed without a dollar, and destitute of bodily or mental energy to pro- 
vide for themselves, or their children. Several are mothers with young chil- 
dren, who have been abandoned by their husbands and fathers. 

On the 17th of January last, the adults in the Hov-e belonging to Boston, 
were, 170. From other towns in Massachusetts, 53 ; from New Hampshire 
and Maine, each, 15 ; from Rhode Island 4 ; f^m New York 5 ; from Con- 
necticut, 1 ; from New Jersey, 2 ; from Pennsylvania, 3 ; from Maryland, 2 ; 
from Virginia, 4 ; from N. and S. Caro^a, and from Tennessee, each, 1. 
Total of American adults, 257. And ^ra Ireland, 111 ; from England, 38 ; 
from Scotland, 5 ; from Germany, M the north of Europe, 15 ; from France 
5 ; from India, 1 ; from the We* Indies, 3 : from Portugal, 3 ; from Italy, 
1 ; from Africa, 1. Total of e-^lt foreigners, 183. Of American and foreign 
adults 440. The children m tne House at the same time, belonging to Bos- 
ton were 67. From otl^ 31 ' towns in Massachusetts, 11 ; from other Ameri- 
can States 10* from Ireland, or children of Irish parents, 79; children of 
other foreigners IP- Total number of children, 183. Total of adults and 
children, 623 

Ardent spjnts are not given to the poor. 



46 



The whole expenditures for the poor in the House last year, 

were, $23,524 29 

Interest upon $86,465 63, the cost of the establishment, 5,187 94 

Total expense for the poor in the House, $28,712 23 

Expended by the Overseers for out door poor, 14,857 92 

Total expense for the poor last year, 43,570 15 

Receipts. — From the farm and labor of the poor in the House, $2,682 03 

From other towns for aid to their poor, . . 716 27 

For State's poor in the House, . . . 10,840 83 

From other towns for poor aided out of the House, 1,178 81 

For State's poor out of the House, . . 3,786 51 

Total receipts, .... $19,204 45 

The whole expenditures, then, having been . . $43,570 15 

And the whole receipts, . 19,204 45 

The balance against the city was, . . . $24,365 70 



COUNTY OF ESSEX. 



SALEM. 

The farm for th^ poor in Salem, contains 115, or 120 acres of land. 
Three fourths of the laad may be profitably cultivated. The farm contains 
valuable ledges of rock ; considerable quantities of rotten rock, so called, 
suitable for forming yards, an} garden waJks . and a sand beach, from which 
sand is sold for paving streets. The roc ks and sand are the principal sources 
of the revenue of the farm. The \Vork\iouse is 200 feet long, and 50 feet 
wide, and is five stories high. The m^g live in the eastern wing, and the 
females in the western. 

The average expense for the support of ti« poor for the ] ast twe l V e years 
has been less than half the average of the fbrWr ten years in the old work- 
house, although the average number of the po, v supported has been in- 
creased. In the old workhouse, no work was done. The average number 
there for the last twenty years, from 1793 to 1816, v as one hundred and 
twenty. And the Superintendent of the present House g. ves the average in 
it for the last twelve years to have been two hundred and th'^ty. fSee Doc- 
uments of the Salem Almshouse, reported by a Committee of ft*e town, and 
ordered to be printed, 1832. 



47 

Of the average number, two hundred and thirty, thirty are capable on an 
average of half a day's work; and twenty more may perform some service. 
The worth of the labor of the inmates who can do the most work, compared 
with that of able bodied men, is as three to one. About $900 a year are 
paid for hired work, independent of salaries. 

The number ofpoorinthe House has been reduced fifty a year for the 
last two years, and the House has been far more easily governed than for- 
merly. These results are attributed, principally, to an entire disuse of ardent 
spirits in the House. 

The Overseers have no salaries. The salary of the Superintendent, is 
$650; of the Foreman of the Farm, $450; of the Physician, $120; and of 
the Chaplain, $100. 

The State poor who come to the House leave it as soon as they have 
strength enough to work. When they come in winter, they are required to 
remain and work in the spring. But " we wink at their departure, that the 
fear of punishment may deter them from returning." 

Since the present Superintendent has had the care of the House, that is, 
for ten years, there have been received into it three thousand persons, of 
which number, he thinks that two thousand nine hundred were brought to it 
directly or indirectly, by intemperance. 
Expenditures last year for the poor house establishment alone, 
for the highways, 
for the poor out of the house, 
Interest on the cost of the Almshouse, . 

Total Expense, .... 

Receipts. — For labour on the highways, 

For rocks, gravel, and other sales from the farm, 
Oakum, manufactures, &c. 
From other towns for aid to their poor, 
From the State for States poor, 

Total Receipts, . . . . 

The expenditures for the poor and highways having been, 
And the receipts, ..... 

The balance against the town was, . . $9,083 79 



$11,152 


16 


1,880 


91 


720 


61 


2,700 


00 


$16,453 68 


$1,077 


78 


3,116 


36 


782 


22 


102 


95 


2,290 


58 


$7,369 


89 


$16,453 68 


7,369 


89 



48 



MARBLEHEAD. 

The Almshouse measures sixty six by thirty two feet. It has twelve 
lodging rooms for the inmates. The female poor only, and a few mar- 
ried couples, live in the main house. The male subjects of the institution 
lodge in two large rooms of another house. The farm contains twenty 
acres ; and eight additional acres of hired land are cultivated by the inmates 
The salary of the Superintendent is $300 ; that of the hired man, $140 ; and 
two shillings a week, or $17 33 a year, are paid to a female domestic. 

Twelve .of the male inmates are capable of two thirds of a day's work ; 
and about eight more could nearly earn their living. Two thirds of the fe- 
males might earn their support, and the remaining number are incapable of 
any work. The work done is, repairs of the highways, farming, oakum 
picking, shoe making and mending, spinning and knitting. 

The Overseers are Surveyors of the Highways. 
Expenditures last year, for the poor in the House, . . $554 03 

" for the poor out of the House, . 4,219 91 

" for the poor alone, 

" for the highways, . 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, at $10,000, 

Total for the poor and highways, 

Receipts. — For the labor of team and inmates on the highways, 
" From the sale of oakum, .... 

" From the State for States poor, . 

" From other towns for their poor, 

Total of receipts, ..... $1,73457 

The expenditures, then, for the poor and highways having been $5,951 19 
And the receipts, . . . . . . 1,734 57 

The balance against the town was, . . . $4,216 62 



$4,773 94 
577 25 

600 00 


$5,951 19 

$577 25 

1,041 06 

116 26 

00 00 



LYNN. 

The Almshouse was built in 1819. It has twelve rooms for lodging its 
inmates, and measures sixty feet by forty. It does not admit of a classifica- 
tion of the poor; and great evils result from this defect in the institution. It 
has a farm of fifty acres of land, and the cost of the whole was about $12,- 



49 



000. The Superintendent has a salary of $200 a year, and a hired man has 
$120 a year. No other salaries are given. 

Eight or ten men, and six or eight women, are capable of labor. Their 
services are worth about half those of the able bodied. The principal work 
done is that of making and binding shoes, and farming. None of the in- 
mates are employed out of the house. 

Ardent spirits are never given to the inmates. The expense for the poor 
has diminished $500 a year for the last four years, partly from the disuse of 
ardent spirits, and in part from a reduction of the number of the poor, and 
an improvement in the general discipline of the House. 

The children belonging to the institution are educated in the District 
school, and are bound out by 10 or 11 years of age. 

The Overseers are not Surveyors of the Highways. 

Expenditures for the Poor in and out of the House last year, $1,441 01 
Interest on the cost of the establishment, at $1200, 720 00 

Total cost for the Poor, $2,161 01 



For the Poor in the House, 
For the Poor out of the House, 



Receipts. — For the labour of the Poor on the highways, at 50 cts, 
per day, . . " . 

" For the making of Shoes, 

" For sales of produce from the Farm, 

" From other towns for aid to their Poor, 

" From the State for States Poor, 

Total of receipts, 

The expenditures then having been, 

And the Receipts, ..... 

The balance against the town was, 



835 12 


$1,441 01 


. $414 09 


514 37 


319 88 


50 00 


207 22 


$1,505 56 


$2,161 01 


. 1,505 56 



$655 45 



BEVERLY. 



The Almshouse was built in 1803. It measures 70 by 50 feet, is two sto- 
ries high, and has, or admits of, accommodations for sixty inmates. It was 
built when the town was rapidly increasing in its population, and regard 
was had in its erection to an expected increase of the poor with a continued 



50 

increase of inhabitants. But a check was given to the growth of the town, 
and its numbers are now about the same as in 1803. A few acres of land 
are cultivated by the poor who are able to work, from which vegetables are 
raised for consumption in the House, and hay enough for two cows. Of 
138 persons who have been in the House for five successive years, 110 were 
natives of the United States; 28 were Foreigners; 105 were towns poor; 
33 were States poor ; and about one third of the whole were children of 10 
years of age, and under that age. 

The cost of aiding and supporting the poor has been diminishing for the 
last ten years, principally from the entire disuse of ardent spirits in the House j 
and this diminution has been about 875 a year for the last four or five years. 

The salary of the Superintendant is 8200 per annum. No other salary is 
given. The inmates are capable of but very little labour. The whole in- 
come of the institution does not exceed §150 a year. 

The expenditures of last year were, for in-door poor, 

" " " " for out-door poor, . 

Total, ... . . . . . 

The receipts were, from the labour of the inmates,' 
« " from the State for States poor, 

Total receipts, $256 88 

The expenditures having been, ..... $1,00935 
And the receipts, . . . • . . . 256 S8 



8701 74 


307 61 


81,009 35 


8150 00 


106 88 



The balance against the town was, $752 45 



GLOUCESTER. 

The main house of the Almshouse measures 48 by 36 feet. It has two 
wrings, one of which measures 60 by 33 feet, and the other 36 by 20 feet. 
There are 28 lodging rooms for the inmates. The long wing was built in 
order more effectually to separate the sexes. Great evils have resulted from 
the impracticability of separating the sexes, and of classifying the poor, 
which, it is thought, may now be prevented. 

The farm contains about 100 acres ; and the cost of the establishment 
may be fairly estimated at $7,000. 

Of those now in the House, 7 men are capable of doing each two thirds 
of a days work, and three of half a days work ; and seven of the females 
are capable of earning their living. The men work on the farm, make 



51 



shoes, and saw wood in the town. The females card and spin sufficient for 
the cloth required for the House. 

From the year 1819, to the present time, the average number in the House 
has increased from 49 to 84. Children are instructed in the House by one 
of the inmates ; and religious services are occasionally performed in it by 
the ministers of the town. Ardent spirits are not allowed to the inmates. 

The salary of the Master of the House is $330, per annum. That of the 
hired man on the farm, $200, per annum. And the five Overseers receive 
for their services, $30 each, or $150. 

The whole expenditures for the poor out of the House last yea 
were, ...... 

" " for the poor in the House, 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, 



Total cost, 
Receipts. 



-For articles sold from the farm, 
For labour done by the poor off the farm, 
From other towns for aid to their poor, 
From the State for States poor, 



Total receipts, 

The expenditures then having been, 
And the receipts, . 

The balance against the town was, 



. $2,281 71 


. 1,298 70 


. $420 00 


. $4,000 41 


$41 27 


465 42 


189 78 


502 31 


$1,198 78 


. $4,000 41 


. 1,198 78 



$2,801 63 



IPSWICH. 



Almshouse. The main house was an old farm house, which measures 
48 by 34 feet. It is two stories high. There are two additional buildings, 
each one story high, one of which measures 50 by 20 feet, and the other 
26 by 20. The farm contains 340 acres, 50 of which are marsh. The land 
is excellent for hay and grain, giving 150 tons of hay, and 600 bushels of 
grain in a year. The cost of the establishment was $9,500. 

Of 50 in the House at any time, 10 might earn their living. The State 
poor are not inclined to remain here, because they are required to work. — 
All the clothing of the inmates is manufactured and made in the House. 

The present cost for the poor is not more than one fourth what it formerly 
was, even with the additional charge of the interest on the cost of the farm 
The Superintendant would take the farm for 5 years, and give bonds to sup- 
port all the out and in door poor of the town. Salary of the Superinten- 
dant, $225, of the hired man, $125. 



52 



The whole expenditures for the establishment last year were, 

" for the poor out of the House, . 

Interest on the cost of the farm, .... 

Total cost, . . . 

Receipts. — For produce sold from the farm, . . . 

" From the State for States poor, 

" From other towns, .... 

Total receipts, ..... 

The expenditures having been, . 

And the receipts, ...... 

The balance against the town was, . . . . $843 60 



$1,300 77 
158 73 
570 00 


$2,029 50 

$1,069 15 
116 75 

00 00 


$1,185 90 

$2,029 50 
1,185 90 



ROWLEY. 

The Almshouse was an old dwelling house. It measures 36 feet by 30 
and has ten lodging rooms for the poor. The farm contains 107 acres : and 
the cost of the establishment was $3,000. 

The present Superintendent has " turned away as many as twenty States 
poor within the last six months, after giving them a lodging for a night, or 
dismissing them as soon as they were able to travel." 

Three of the women spin and weave for the House. Four of the towns 
poor, three of whom can each do a day's work, labor upon the farm. 

The children are sent to the town school. Religious services are per- 
formed in the House on Sunday evenings. 

Ardent spirits are not given to the inmates. 

The salary of the Superintendent is $225. The three Overseers receive 
each, $8 ; or together, $24. 

Expenditures for the poor last year were, 

Interest on the farm, .,..,, 

Total cost, ...... 



Receipts. — For sales from the farm, . 

" For aid to the poor of other towns, . 

" From the State for States poor, . 

Total receipts, ...... $943 27 



$12,00 08 


180 00 


$1,380 08 


$66 32 


3 75 


873 20 



53 

The expenditures having been, . . . $1,380 08 

And the receipts, ....... 943 27 



The balance against the town was, .... $436 81 



NEWBURY. 

The Almshouse measures 60 feet by 30. It is an old house, and has been 
used as an Almshouse ahout four and a half years. There are eight rooms 
for the poor in the main house, and one in a separate building. The single 
women lodge in this outhouse, and the other inmates in the main building. 
The firm contains 210 acres, and the cost of the establishment was $7,500. 

The poor work on the highways, and on the farm, pick oakum, and make 
shoes. The females spin and weave, but do not make cloth enough for the 
house. Three men can do a good day's work ; two, a half of a day's work; 
and five, ahout a fourth of a day's work. No one of the State's poor did any 
work here during the last summer. 

Magistrates send here those convicted of idleness and intemperance. Two 
of those now in the House were so sent. 

The children are instructed in the town school. There are occasional re- 
ligious services in the House in the evening. 

The expenditures for the poor last* year were, . . . $2,568 96 

Interest on the cost of the farm, .... 450 00 

Total cost, ...... 

Receipts. — For sales from the farm, . 

" For oakum, ..... 

" From other towns for aid to their poor, . 

" For the board of an inmate, paid by his friends^ 

" From the State for States poor, . 

Total receipts, ..... 

The expenditures, then, having been, 

And the receipts, ..... 

The balance against the town was, ...» $3,612 45 



8h 



. $3,018 96 

$105 00 

64 06 

179 27 

36 40 

1,021 78 


. $1,406 51 

. $3,018 96 
1,406 51 



54 



NEWBURYPORT. 

The Almshouse was built in 1793. It is of brick. The main house mea- 
sures 80 feet by 30 ; and an addition has been made to it of 40 feet by 30. 
There are 25 rooms for lodging the inmates. The men live in one wing, and 
the women in the other. About 20 acres of land belong to the establish- 
ment, and the cost of the whole was $11,800. 

Employments. Working on the highways, and on the farm, and picking 
oakum. The oakum pickers, the feeblest of the workers, are 15 ; and 10 
work on the highways and land. Of these workers, no one is a States poor. 

The whole number of States poor aided by the Overseers in and out of 
the House last year, was 82. Of these, 59 were Americans, and 23 were 
Foreigners. 

Magistrates commit to the House for idleness and intemperance. Of those 
now in the House, 5 were so sent to it. If they abscond, and are recommit- 
ted, they are punished with solitary confinement. 

No ardent spirits are given to the inmates. It was ascertained by careful 
inquiry, that, of the whole poor in the House in 1827, seven eights were 
brought to poverty by intemperance. 

Very young children are instructed in the House ; and when of a suitable 
age are sent to the town school. Religious services are performed in the 
House on Sunday evenings. 

The Overseers are Surveyors of the Highways. 

Gross cost for the poor in and out of the House last year, . $6,368 12 

Cost for the highways, ...... 1,800 85 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, » . . 708 00 

Total cost for poor and highways, $8,876 97 



Receipts. — For the labour of the poor and team on the highways, $1,200 85 
" For oakum, . . . . . . 877 94 



" For sundries sold, 

" For individuals boarded by friends, 

" From other towns for aid to their poo 

" From the State for States poor, 

Total receipts, 



317 75 

119 43 

313 32 

1,352 22 

;4,181 51 



The whole cost for the poor and highways then having been, . $8,876 97 
And the whole receipts, ...... 4,181 51 

The balance against the town was, $1,695 46 



55 



ESSEX. 

The Almshouse measures 50 feet by 30. It was an old dwelling hou^e, a 
part of it having probably been built a century ago. It has 7 lodging rooms 
for the poor. In the farm are 100 acres of upland, and 50 of marsh. The 
cost of the whole was $5000. 

Magistrates send idlers and the intemperate to the Almshouse. No ardent 
spirits are given to the inmates. The inmates work on the farm, make their 
own cloth, and pick oakum. Three men and six women, are each capable of 
a days work. Few of the States poor apply here for assistance. 

The salary of ihe Superintendant is .$200: that of a hired man for 2 
months, $30. 

The whole expenditure for the poor last year was, v . $714 69 

Interest on the cost of the farm, . 300 00 

Total cost, $1,014 69 

Receipts. — From the labour of the poor, and sale of produce 

from the farm, .... $667 89 

" From the State for States poor, . . . 40 80 

" From other towns, . . . . . 00 00 

Total receipts, $708 69 

The expenditures having been, ..... $1,014 69 
And the receipts, ....... 708 69 

The balance against the town was, $306 00 



AND OVER. 

The Almshouse is very old, and was a farm house. It measures 42 by 32 
feet, and has eleven lodging rooms for the poor. Considerable evils result 
from the impracticability of separating and classifying its inmates. The 
farm contains 170 acres, a considerable part of which is wood land. It was 
purchased in 1807, and cost $4000. 

The inmates work on the farm, do the light work in a brick yard belong- 
ing to the farm, pick wool and spin. Only 3 males and 5 females are capa- 
ble each of half a days work. Almost all the States poor who come to the 
House leave it as soon as they are able to travel; although more than half, 
f detained after they have been refreshed by rest, and kept from ardent 
spirits, and compelled to work, might earn their own subsistence. The 



56 

children belonging to the House do not go to any school. They are gener- 
ally placed in families by 8 years of age. Ardent spirits are not given to the 
inmates, nor are any used in the House. 

The Overseers of the poor have $1 per day for their services, amounting, 
for them all, to about $50 a year. The salary of the Superintendent is $170 
per annum. Religious instruction is given to the inmates generally by the 
students of the Theological Institution. 

Expenditures. — By orders drawn on the Treasury last year, . $1,081 71 

" Paid for labour in the brick yard, . .289 64 

" Salary of Superintendant, . . . 170 00 

*' Allowance to Overseers, . . .50 CO 

Repairs, . . . . . . 48 68 

" Interest on the farm, . . . 240 00 

Total cost, $1,880 03 

Receipts. — From the sale of bricks made on the farm, . 
" From other towns for aid given to their poor, 

" From the State for States poor. 

Total receipts, 

The receipts having been, , 

And the expenditures, ..... 

The balance in favour of the town was, 8228 75 



$1,821 13 


111 


73 


175 


92 


§2,108 


78 


82,108 


78 


1,880 03 



HAVERHILL. 

The Almshouse measures 63 by 34 feet. Half of it is an old house, and 
half is new, and is built of brick. It has 8 lodging rooms for the poor.— 
Great difficulties are experienced from the impracticability of classifying the 
inmates. The farm contains 96 acres of land, and the cost of the establish- 
ment was $5,483 88. Only four men are capable of half a days work, and 
these are towns poor. The females who have capacity for labour, card and 
spin, and the men work on the farm. 

There were no oeipts from the farm beyond what were consumed upon 
it. When the Superintendent makes any sale of Produce, w T ith the proceeds 
he purchases other provisions for the House. Before the poor were remov- 
ed to the farm, the average cost for them was, $1,500 per annum. It is also 
an additioual advantage of the farm, that Liters, and intemperate persons 
have been sent to it by magistrates, and expense for them in the County 
House of Correction has been saved to the town. Ardent spirits are given 
to the vrorking men . 



Oi 

The Overseers receive 75 cents a day for their services ; that is, about $12 
each a year. The salary of the Superintendant is $200 a year. 

The cost for the poor last year was, .... $924 06 

Interest on the farm, ...... 329 03 

Total cost, $],253 09 

Receipts. — From other towns for their poor, . . . $18 06 

" From the State for States poor, . . . 151 00 

Total receipts, $169 06 

The expenditures having been, . . . . . $1,253 09 

And the receipts, . • 169 06 

The balance against the town was, $1,024 03 



COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 



CHARLESTOWN. 

The Almshouse in Charlestown is 100 feet long, and 46 feet wide. It has 
three stories above the basement, and contains 38 rooms for the inmates. 
From 4 to 6 lodge in a room. The cost of the House, with 3 acres of land, 
was $18,000. 

The salary of the Keeper is $500 ; and that of the Chairman of the Over- 
seers, $400 per annum. 

Ten acres of land are hired, in addition to the three belonging to the es- 
tablishment. The work done is oakum picking, gardening and farming, la- 
bor on the highways, shoemaking, tailoring, blarksmithing and spinning. 
Cloth is purchased for the inmates, but all their clothing, except socks, is 
made in the House. 

The Almshouse is sometimes used as a House of Correction. The chil- 
dren are instructed in the House by one of the inmates. 

The average amount assessed and raised by direct taxation for 
the poor and highways of Charlestown, during the last five 
years, has been, per annum, ..... $5,944 20 

To this is to be added in the estimated cost, average from the 

State 4,976 48 



Making the cost per annum ic have been, $10,920 66 



58 

Deduct from this the amount received from the State, . . $4,976 48 

" And the estimated proceeds of labor, . 2,600 00 

$7,576 48 

And the annual average cost to the town for the poor depart- 
ment for five years, has been, .... $3,344 20 

The expenditures and receipts of the last year could not be obtained. 



CAMBRIDGE. 

The main house of Cambridge Almshouse was built in 1818, and mea- 
sures 55 by 36 feet. The cost of the whole, with 12 acres of land, was 
$7,725 77. The number of lodging rooms for the inmates is 18. No assist- 
ance is given to any out of the House, except in cases of extreme necessity. 
Ardent spirits are given to the poor who work. 

Forty acres of land are hired for cultivation, beside the twelve belonging 
to the establishment. The work done is picking hair; all the shoemaking, 
blacksmithing and tailoring of the establishment ; labor on the highways; 
and wood sawing for the town house, meeting houses and schools. Wood 
is also sold from the establishment, sawed and split ; but only to the poor, 
and at the cost, as a means of aiding the poor out of the House. 

Of 104 in the House when it was visited, 92 were States poor ; and, of 
these, 5 were Americans, and 87 were Foreigners. Seventy five were capa- 
ble of more or less work. 

The whole amount drawn from the Treasury last year for the 

poor and Highways was, ..... $5,434 98 
The interest on the cost of the establishment was, . . 463 55 

And the rent of 40 acres of land, . .... 19100 

Total expense for the poor and highways last year, $6,089 53 

The estimated worth of the labor of the poor, and of the teamster 
and hired man of the Almshouse on the highways last year, 
was, $1,763 00 

Receipts for the labor of the poor, independent of work on high- 
ways, ....... 793 65 

From other towns for aid to their poor, . . . . 37 00 

From the State for States poor, .... 4,096 47 



Total receipts-, $6,690 12 



59 

The receipts having been, ..... $6,690 12 

And the whole expense for the poor and highways, . . 6,089 53 

The balance in favor of the town was, $6u0 59 

The salary of the Warden is $350; of the teamster, $250 : of the hired 
man, $192 ; and of the physician, $50. Total of salaries, $842 00, 



MEDFORD. 

The Almshouse is 40 feet square. It has 6 lodging rooms for the poor, 
and from 4 to 10 sleep in a room. It does not admit of a classification of 
its inmates. The farm contains only 11 acres of land ; and the cost of the 
establishment is estimated to have been $5000. The inmates pick oakum, 
and work upon the farm and highways. They did 318 days work on the 
roads last year, at 50 cents a day. Four men and one woman are capable 
each of a days work. Aid is sometimes given to the States poor to carry on 
their way ; but only at the Almshouse if they remain in the town. 

Magistrates send idlers and drunkards to the Almshouse as to a House of 
Correction, for any term short of six months; and if they abscond, and are 
recommitted, they are punished with solitary confinement. The four work- 
ing men above named were so sent. There has been no increase of poor in 
the town for the last five years. The effect of abolishing the use of ardent 
spirits in the House has been, a diminution of the number of applicants for 
admission to it. There has therefore been a diminution of expense for the 
poor. Children are sent to the town school. Average proportion of child- 
ren in the House for five years, 5. 

The Overseers give assistance to none out of the House. The Keepers 
salary is $250. Other salaries, $75. 

The amount drawn from the Treasury last year for the poor and 

highways was, ...... $1,662 64 

For the poor alone, . . . . . « $1,122 07 

For the highways alone, ...... 540 57 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, . . . 300 00 

Total cost for poor and highways, $1,962 64 

Receipts. — From the labour of the poor on the highways, . $159 00 

" From other income from the labour of the poor, 91 00 

" From other sources, . . , . . 50 CO 

u From the State for the States poor, . . 321 94 

Total receipts, $621 94 



60 

The expenditures for the poor and highways having been, . $1,962 64 

And the receipts, ....... 621 94 



The balance against the town was, $1,340 70 



MALDEN. 

The Almshouse is of brick, and measures 68 feet by 40. It has 9 lodging 
rooms for the poor, and from 2 to 8 sleep in a room. The House does not 
admit of a classification of the inmates ; and there is great cause for the ap- 
prehension of evil from this circumstance. The farm contains S2 acres of 
land, and the cost of the establishment was, $5,500. The poor are employed 
in making shoes, in work upon the farm, and in labour upon the highways. 
Some are sent to the House by magistrates for idleness and intemperance ; 
and if they abscond, and are recommitted, they are punished with solitary 
confinement. 

The salary of the Superintendent is $300 ; and that of a hired man, $180. 
The farm was purchased by the town five years ago. The cost of the poor 
each per week is thought to be $1. 

The expenditures for the poor last year were, . . . $2,116 26 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, . . . 330 00 

Total cost, 

The income from the farm and labour of the poor was, . 
" from other towns for aid to their poor, . 

" from the State for States poor, 

Total receipts, $1,773 98 

The expenditures having been, . _ . . $2,446 26 

And the receipts, . . . . . . . 1,773 98 

The balance against the town was, $672 28 



$2,446 26 


$1,502 00 


20 92 


251 06 



WATERTOWN. 

The Almshouse was built in 1824. It is two stories high, and measures 
54 by 32 feet. It has five lodging rooms for the poor, besides a spacious and 
comfortable garret, in which the single men sleep. The females lodge in 



si 

the rooms below, and from 4 to 6 sleep in a room. There are no special 
accommodations for the insane. The farm contains 32 acres of very good 
land. Four of the inmates work on the farm, and two of them are States 
poor. The establishment has been in operation 8 years, and cost $3500. — 
The inmates work on the farm, and on the highways. Three men and two 
women are capable each of a days work ; 3 men of half a days work each, 
and 3 of a fourth of a days work each. The number of days work done by 
the Superintendent, teams and poor of the establishment on the highways 
last year was, 607. Of the workers on the highways, 6 were States poor, 
and 3 were towns poor. Children are instructed in the town school, and the 
poor go to church on Sundays. No religious instruction is given in the 
House. Of the State poor who call for occasional aid, nearly all, if com- 
pelled to work, could earn their living. Ardent spirits are given to the poor 
Who work. The Superintendent feels the difficulties which arise from this 
practice, and wishes its discontinuance. But its allowance is a rule of the 
House. The average cost for the poor before their removal to the farm was 
$1500 per year. None are aided out of the House. 

The salary of the Superintendent is $270 a year. A hired man has $14 
a month, for six months, or $84 ; and the Overseers charge for their services 
upon the highways, of which they are the surveyors. 

None are sent by magistrates. 

Cost for the poor last year, including salaries and wages, i $1,510 00 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, » . . 510 00 



Total cost for the poor, $2,020 00 

Receipts. — For the labor of the Superintendent, poor, and team 

on the Highways, .... $355 50 

" For sales of produce of the farm, . . 220 96 

" From other labors of the poor, . . . 133 22 

" From other towns for their poor, . * 00 00 

'• From the State for States poor, ... 81 31 



Total receipts, $790 99 

The expenditures, then, having been, . * $2,020 00 

And the receipts, ... . 790 99 



The balance against the town was, $.1,229 01 



9h 



62 



WALTHAM. 

The Almshouse was an old mansion house. It is 40 feet square, and 2 
stories high. It has 5 lodging rooms for the poor. It neither admits of a 
classification of the inmates, or has any provision for the care of the insane* 
The farm contains 130 acres of land, and the soil is generally good. It has 
a good peat bog. It has been owned by the town four years. But during 
the three preceding years, the poor were kept upon a farm. The cost of the 
establishment was $3,066 67. 

The poor work on the farm, and on the highways. One is Capable of a 
day's work, and three of half a day's work. About 250 days work were 
done by the establishment on the highways last year. This work was done 
by the towns poor as far as the poor are employed. Few of the States poor 
come to the House for aid. Of the wandering States poor who are seen 
passing through the town, it is believed that three fourths are able to earn 
their living. 

The Overseers are not Surveyors of the Highways. But it is annually vo- 
ted at the March meeting, that every one who shall pay to the Overseers 75 
cents on a dollar of the sum which he is taxed for the highways, shall be 
exempted from further charge for the highways during the year; and his tax 
shall be worked out by the poor of the Almshouse, 

Ardent spirits are allowed to the workers during the summer months. 

The average cost for the poor before the establishment of the 

Farm was, per annum, ..... $675 00 

Expenditures for the poor in and out of the House last year, 805 39 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, . , . 184 00 

Total cost, $989 39 

Receipts. — For produce sold from the farm, * . . $533 77 
" From individuals for highway taxes worked out by 

the poor, . . . . . 193 18 

" From the State for States poor, . . . 23 40 



Total receipts, $750 3o 

The expenditures last year for the poor having been , $989 39 

And the receipts, .... . $750 35 

The balance against the town was, $239 04 



63 



LITTLETON. 

The Almshouse was a farm house, and is probably seventy five years old. 
It measures 40 by 30 feet, and is two stories high. The main house con- 
tains four sleeping rooms for the inmates, and there is an out house which 
contains four sleeping rooms. The farm measures about 140 acres, and has 
upon it about 30 acres of woodland. The soil is merely of a tolerable qual- 
ity, and it has no particular advantages for revenue. The establishment has 
been in operation since 1825, and cost $3,600. 

No man on the farm is capable even of a quarter of a days work. Two 
women are capable each of a days work; one of half, and another of a 
fourth of a days work. 

Of the wandering poor, who call for occasional aid, nine tenths, if detained 
and kept from ardent spirits, and compelled to work, could earn their own 
subsistence. 

Ardent spirits are not allowed to the inmates. Children are sent to the 
town school. No poor were aided out of the House last year. None are 
aided at their houses except in cases of illness, which prevents their remo- 
val to the Farm. 

The salary of the Superintendent is $200. No other salary is given. 

The annual average expense for the poor before their removal to the farm 
was, for the five preceding years, $800 00. 

The whole expenditures for the poor last year were, . . $555 33 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, . . . 216 00 

Total cost, 

Receipts. — For sales from the farm, 

" From the State for States poor, 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures having been, 
And the receipts, . • 

The balance against the town was, $244 38 



$771 33 


$520 05 


6 90 


$526 95 


$771 33 


526 95 



LEXINGTON. 

A part of the Almshouse was formerly an old farm house, which measures 
28 feet by 20. An addition was made to it in 1819, which measures 31 by 
22 feet. The old part of the House is one story, and the new is two stories 



64 

high. There are 8 lodging rooms for the inmates, and from 1 to 3 sleep in a 
room. Great care is required for security against immoralities. The farm 
contains 80 acres. The soil is generally good, but has no particular advan- 
tages for income. The land has been owned by the town neariy from the 
date of its incorporation. The estimated value of the establishment is 
$2,500. 

No work which brings any income is done by the inmates in the house. 
One woman is capable of a days work ; and one man, and one woman, each 
of half a days work. Ardent spirits are not allowed in the house. None 
are sent to it by magistrates. The children are instructed in the town school. 

The salary of the Superintendant is $180. No other salary is given. 

The average cost for the poor before the establishment of the farm is not 
known. The Chairman of the Overseers, however, knows the cost to have 
been as high as $1600 in a year. 

The expenditures for the poor on the farm last year were, 
" for out-door poor, 

Total expense for the poor, 

Receipts. — For sales from the farm, 

" From other towns for aid to their poor, . . 

" From the State for States poor, 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures having been, . 

And the receipts, ...... 

The balance against the town was, $529 75 



$649 02 
54 45 


$703 47 

171 72 

2 00 
00 00 


$173 72 

$703 47 
173 72 



MARLBOROUGH. 

Almshouse. A part of it was an old farm house, which measures 40 feet 
by 30. An addition has been made to it, by which it measures 62 by 40 feet. 
It is two stories high ; has ten lodging rooms for the poor ; and from two to 
five sleep in a room. The house does not admit of a classification of its in- 
mates. The farm contains 160 acres. Some of the soil is extraordinarily 
good, and nearly all of it is susceptible of good cultivation. Four men do 
more or less work on the farm. The establishment has been in operation 
ten years ; and the cost of the whole was, $4000. 

The female poor spin and knit. With the proceeds of the spinning, all 
the weaving is obtained from the neighbours ; and from the cloth so woven, 



65 

all the inmates are clothed. Cue man, and 2 women, are capable each of a 
days work. Two men of half a days work ; and one woman and two men 
of a fourth of a days work. No other of the inmates is capable of any ser- 
vice. The increase of the inmates in winter is occasioned by the necessities 
of the intemperate, who live as they can in the summer, but who must be 
provided for in the winter. Ardent spirits are not allowed to be in the House. 
Few of the wandering poor come here. Those who come are required to 
labour, and therefore prefer to leave the House. Those of this class who 
call at the House are quite able to support themselves; and, in case they re- 
main any number of days, as they then actually earn as much as they re- 
ceive, no charge is made to the State for the care of them. The practice 
is, to aid no poor out of the House, except in cases in which they cannot be 
removed to it. The average cost for the poor before their removal to the 
farm was, $1550. 

The whole expenditures incurred for the poor last year, includ- 
ing money paid for additional stock, farming tools, the salary of 
the Superintendent, and interest on the cost of the farm was, $939 39 

The whole receipts of the last year for sales from the farm, la- 
bour, &c, were, ....... $628 61 

Making the balance against the town to have been, . . $3 10 78 

There were no receipts for States poor. 



CONCORD. 

The Almshouse was built in 1826. It is two stories high, and measures 
60 feet by 30. It has eight lodging rooms for the poor, in one of which is a 
commodious apartment, made by a partition of bars of wood, for the con- 
finement of an insane woman whom it is necessary to deprive of liberty. — 
The apartment has a full sized window in it, and is well warmed. From 2 
to 7 of the inmates sleep in a room. 

The farm contains 50 acres, and its soil is of an ordinary quality. The 
establishment has been in operation six years. The land was long since left 
to the town for the support of the poor by Captain Cargill. The estimated 
worth of the establishment is $3000. 

No one of the inmates is capable of a days work. One man, and two 
women, may do each half a days work ; and no others can perform any ser- 
vice. Ardent spirits are not allowed in the House. Children are sent to 
the town school. Of the wandering poor who call for assistance upon the 
Overseers, or for rest at the House, nine-tenths could, if compelled to work, 
earn their own subsistence. 

The salary of the Superintendent is $200. No other salary is given. 



66 



The annual average expense for the poor for five years before their re- 
moval to the farm was, $800 per annum. The expenditures and receipts of 
Concord for the poor during the last year could not be obtained. 



CHELMSFORD. 

The Almshouse was a farm house, and measures 40 feet by 30, with the 
addition of a kitchen, washroom, &c. It has also an outhouse for the in- 
sane, which is warmed by a stove in the cellar, with an aperture in the floor 
for the admission of warmed air. The main house has eight lodging rooms 
for the poor. The farm contains 100 acres. It was bought in 1823, and 
cost $3500. 

"Strooling beggars" frequently pass under the notice of the Overseers 

nearly all of whom, it is thought, "if compelled, could earn a good living." 

When there are children in the House, they are instructed in the town school. 

The whole expenditures for the poor in the House last year were, $790 00 

« " for the poor out of the House, . 10 00 



Receipts. — For sales from the farm, 

" From the State for States poor, 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures having been, 

And the receipts, ...... 

The balance against the town was, $299 90 



$800 00 


$455 60 


44 50 


$500 10 


$800 00 


500 10 



WESTFORD. 

The Almshouse is nearly a century old. It was a farm house, is two sto- 
ries high, and measures about 40 feet square. It has also an out house, with 
chambers, and an apartment for refractory subjects. There are six lodging- 
rooms for the poor, and from two to six sleep in a room. Immoralities have 
resulted from the impracticability of classifying the inmates. The farm con- 
tains 170 acres. The soil is good, but has no peculiar advantages for reve- 
nue. The establishment has been in operation seven years, and cost $3000. 
No work is done by the inmates but upon the farm. One man and one wo* 



67 

Mati are capable of a days work ; five women of half a days work, and three 
men of a fourth of a days work. No others are capable of any service. 
Magistrates commit to the House for intemperance. Two were so com- 
mitted last year. No ardent spirits are given in the House. States poor sel- 
dom call for aid here ; and no towns poor are assisted by the Overseers, ex- 
cept at the Almshouse. The average expenditures for the poor before their 
removal to the farm were from 10 to $1200. The salary of the Superinten- 
dent is $240. 

Expenditures for the poor last year, 
Interest on the cost of the establishment, 

Total cost, 

Receipts. — For sales from the farm, 

" Due for teaming and labor done by the poor, 

" From other towns and from the State, 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures having been, .... 
And the receipts, . . * 

The balance against the town was, $7.17 30 



$1,077 46 


180 00 


$1,257 46 


$462 00 


78 15 


00 00 


$540 16 


$1,257 46 


540 16 



GROT ON. 

Almshouse. Part of it is nearly a century old. It measures 32 feet by 30, 
is two stories high, and has a new adjoining part, one story high, and meas- 
uring 30 by 14 feet. There are 5 lodging rooms for the poor, and from 2 to 
6 sleep in a room. Great care is necessary for security against immorali- 
ties. The farm contains 170 acres, 50 of which are good interval land, and 
the remainder pretty good. The establishment has been in operation since 
1827, and cost $2,357 04. 

No Work is done by the inmates for profit, except upon the farm. No 
man or woman is capable of a days work. One man, and five women, can 
do half a days work, and no others are capable of any service. 

The children are instructed in the town school, and religious services are 
performed in the house once a fortnight on Sunday evenings by the minis- 
ters of the town. 

There are inmates for whom the most disagreeable services are to be per- 
formed ; and ardent spirits are given only when these services are rendered, 
and to those who render them. Of the wandering poor who are seen here, 
nearly all, if compelled to work, could earn their own subsistence. 

The salary of the Superintendent is $225, 



68 

The cost for the poor before the establishment of the present system was? 
$],050, per annum. 

Expenditures for the poor on the farm last year, . 

" for out door poor, .... 

Interest on the cost of the farm, . . . . 

Total cost, 

Receipts. — For sales from the farm, . 

" From other towns for aid to their poor, 

" From the State for States poor, 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures having been, .... 
And the receipts, . . . , . , 

The balance against the town was, $495 54 



$662 85 

65 00 

141 42 


$869 27 

$286 38 
25 25 
62 10 


$373 73 

$869 27 
373 73 



COUNTY OF NORFOLK, 



ROXBVRY. 

The Almshouse measures 100 feet by 40. It has, besides its apartments 
for the keepers family, 12 lodging rooms for the poor, and space sufficient 
for finishing 12 other lodging rooms for them. The males live in one wing, 
and. the females in the other. Husbands and wives are not allowed to live 
together, and the sexes are kept quite apart from each other. This circum- 
stance has brought the house into disfavor with some who would otherwise 
have taken up their abode in it. The farm contains 32 acres of land. About 
20 acres are used for tillage and mowing , and about 12 are principally val- 
uable for the pudding stone that is upon them, and which is used in repair- 
ing the highways. The old Almshouse had no farm connected with it. A 
farm, connected with repairs of roads by the poor, is found to be very profit- 
able. The present establishment has been in operation one year, and the 
cost of the whole was $20,000. 

The number of poor now capable of work is 5. Their average number is 
7, and their service is worth 50 cents a day. Beside the work done on the 
highways and farm, between 20 and 30,000 skewers for butchers are made in 
the house ; and, when the material can be obtained, wool and hemp are 
picked by the inmates. The females, who are capable of work, are hired out 
for day service. 



69 

The number in the house last year was smaller than it has been for many 
preceding years, principally in consequence of the new regulations, which 
forbid the use of ardent spirits, and require an entire separation of the sexes. 
AH aid is refused to the States poor, except at the house ; and they continue 
there but for a day or two, except in winter. No States poor were employed 
either on the farm or roads during the last year. 

The average number of young children is about 8 or 10. They are sent 
to the town school. Divine service is performed in the house every Sunday 
evening by the clergy of the town. 

Drunkards and idlers are sent to the house by magistrates; and if they 
abscond, and are recommitted, they are punished with solitary confinement. 

The salary of the keeper is $275; of the hired man, $313; Overseers, for 
services as Surveyors of Highways, $150. 

The whole expenditures for the poor last year both in and out of 

the house were, ...... $3,824 12 

The expenditures for the highways, . . . 2,067 72 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, . . . 1,200 00 

Total cost for the poor and highways, $7,091 84 

Receipts.— For the labour of the poor and teams on the highways, $1,061 00 
" From other work of the poor, 

From other towns for aid to their poor, . 
From the State for States poor, 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures for the poor and highways having been, 
And the receipts, ...... 

The balance against the town was, $4,597 16 



398 75 

8 75 

1,026 18 


$2,494 68 

$7,091 84 
2,494 68 



DORCESTER. 

The Almshouse measures 62 by 33 feet, and has seven rooms for the poor, 
each 16 feet square, and a large garret which is the sleeping room of a num- 
ber of the male inmates. There is also in the yard a building for the insane 
and for idiots. The farm contains 33 acres of land, 15 of which are culti- 
vated for vegetables and hay. The estimated cost of the establishment is 
$5000. The principal labour of the poor is done upon the roads. They also 
work upon the farm. Two are employed in shoe making, and the females 
spin and knit. The worth of the labour of the poor on the roads may be 
fairly estimated at 50 cents a dav, independent of their board. The labour- 

10 h 



70 

ers who are permanent poor are made so by the want of capacity to provide 
for, and to take care of themselves. Two are able to do a days work, and 
six or seven two thirds of a days work. About eight men are incapable of 
any service. No States poor were employed last year. Children are sent to 
the town school. Ardent spirits are given to those who labour. Inmates 
are sometimes sent by magistrates for a term not exceeding six months- 
The salary of the Keeper is $250. No other salary is given, except $85 
to the Overseers as surveyors of the highways. 

The expenditures for the poor in the House last year were, $2,018 33' 

" for the poor out of the House, . . 12127 

" for the highways, . . . 1,187 66 

" for Overseers services as surveyors of highways, 85 00 

Interest on estimated value of the establishment, . . 300 00 

Total cost, $3,712 26 

Receipts. — For work done by the establishment on the highways, $1,181 25 
" From other labours of the poor, . . ~ 213 55 

" From other towns for aid to theirpoor, ► . 197 41 

" From the State for States poor, . . . 47 10 

Total receipts, $1,639 31 

The expenditures for the poor and highways having been, . $3,712 26 
And the receipts, . . . . . . 1,639 31 

The balance against the town was, $2,072 95 



QUINCY. 

The Almshouse was built in 1815. It measures 40 feet by 30, and is two 
stories high. There are nine lodging rooms for the poor, and from two to 
four lodge in a room. Separate from the main house is a work-shop, and a 
place of confinement for refractory subjects. The farm contains 50 acres of 
land of a very ordinary quality ; bur there is on it a sand hill which gives 
some revenue. The cost was $3000. Five men are capable of doing a days 
work, and one of a fourth of a days work. Three of the women are capa- 
ble each of half a days work. The Overseers are surveyors of the high- 
ways, and the poor work upon them. Ardent spirits are given to the men 
who work. None are sent by magistrates. 

The salary of the Superintendant is $300 per year ; and the wages and 
board of a hired man for three months are estimated at $71 42. 



71 

Expenditures for the poor in the House last year, 
Interest on the cost of the establishment, 

Total cost, 

Receipts. — For work on the highways, . 
" From the sale of oakum, 

" For shoe making and carpenters work, 

For other labour of the poor, 

From other towns for aid to their poor, 
" From the State for States poor, . 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures having been, .... 
And the receipts, . . . 

The balance against the town was, $620 90 

The Chairman of the Overseers gives it as his opinion, that, but for ex- 
traordinary circumstances within the past year, which need not here be 
stated, the balance against the town probably would not have exceeded $520. 



$1,240 00 
180 00 


$1,420 00 

$415 00 

125 00 

150 00 

90 00 

6 00 

13 10 


$799 10 

$1,420 00 
799 10 



COUNTY OF BRISTOL. 



TAUNTON. 

The main house of the Almshouse was built in 1827, and measures 42 by 
36 feet. Contiguous is the farm house which was purchased with the farm 
and which measures 36 by 26 feet. The main house is two stories high. — 
The adjoining house is but one story high. There are 12 lodging rooms for 
the inmates, and from two to six sleep in a room. The House does not ad- 
mit of classifying the inmates, and great care is required to guard against 
immoralities. The farm contains 130 acres of land. The soil is generally 
light and sandy. It has about 30 acres of wood land, and about 25 of which 
are good for tillage and grass. The establishment has been in operation five 
years, and cost $5000. The inmates make tubs and baskets, pick oakum, 
sometimes work on the roads, and are sometimes hired out for days work. — 
Two women are capable of a days work ; and six men, and two women, o 
half a days work. No others are- capable of service. Of the wandering 
States poor who apply for occasional aid, it is believed that the exceptions 
are few of those, who, if kept from ardent spirits, and compelled to work, 



72 

could not earn their own subsistence. Till the farm was purchased, the 
poor were put up at auction to the lowest bidder. Great immoralities were 
consequent upon this manner of disposing of them ; and the new provision 
made for them has been greatly favourable to their comfort and their virtue. 
Ardent spirits are given only in haying time, and then to those only who 
work in the wet meadows. 

The salary of the Superintendent is $200 ; and the Overseers receive 
about $50. 

The average cost for the poor before their removal to the farm, was 
$1,340. 

Expenditures for the poor last year, in the House, . . $663 86 

" for the poor out of the house, . . . 400 00 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, . . . 300 00 

Whole cost, $1,363 86 

Receipts. — For sales from the farm, .... $45 86 

" For the labor of the poor. . . . . 70 00 

From other towns for aid given to their poor, . . 54 65 

" From the State for States poor, ... 378 83 

Total receipts, $549 34 

The expenditures, having been, ..... $1,363 86 
And the receipts, . . . . . . . 549 34 



The balance against the town was, $814 52 



FA1RHAVEN. 

The almshouse was a farm house. It is one story high, and measures 32 
feet by 30. It has four lodging rooms for the poor, and from one to three 
sleep in a room. There is only one fireplace for the inmates in the House- 
In their lodging rooms, there is neither a fire place nor a stove; and these 
lodging rooms are about eight feet square. There are only six acres of land 
belonging to the establishment. The soil is poor. The cost of the whole 
was $548 25. The place was purchased by the town in 1824. 

The poor work on the land, and pick oakum. No one of them is capable 
of a days work. Two women, and one man, are capable of half a days work, 
and one man of a fourth of a days work. 

Ardent spirits are not given to the inmates. None are sent here by magis- 
trates. Of the States poor who apply for occasional aid, nearly all, if com- 
pelled to work, might earn their own subsistence. 



73 

The salary of the Superintendent is $200. No other salary is given ( 
The cost for the poor before the purchase of the almshouse was about 

$1,000 a year. 

The expenditures for the poor out of the house last year were, 
" for the poor in the house, '. 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, 



Receipts. — From other towns for aid to their poor, 
" From the State for States poor, . 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures for the poor having been, 
And the receipts, 

The balance against the town was, $1,269 14 



$600 00 
995 07 
32 89£ 


$1,627 m 

$112 06 
246 76 


$358 82 

$1,627 96£ 

358 82 



NEW BEDFORD. 

The almshouse is about 12 years old. It measures about 50 feet by 40, 
and is two stories high, with a basement. Adjoining the house is a shed, 
40 feet by 18, over which are chambers; and there is another building, the 
original iarm house, which measures 40 by 25 feet. The whole contains 24 
rooms for the poor. The establishment does not admit of a classification of 
the inmates. The farm contains 96 acres of land which is washed by the 
sea, and the soil is generally good. 5500 feet of salt works, at $1 a foot, have 
been built upon it, principally within the last year. The farm was bought in 
May, 1828, and the cost of the establishment is estimated to have been $13,- 
000. The salt works, it is believed, will hereafter contribute much more 
than they have yet done to the support of the poor. 

The poor work on the farm, pick oakum, and assist in the charge of the 
salt works. One woman, and no man, is capable of a days work ; one 
woman, and no man, of half a days work ; and four men, and no woman, of 
a fourth of a days work. Ardent spirits are not allowed to the inmates. 
Before the purchase of the farm, rum was allowed to the poor; and the old 
almshouse, where they then were, was a common nuisance. The superin- 
tendent thinks he could not control the subjects in the house, if the permis- 
sion to use ardent spirits were given to them. Of the States poor who call 
for occasional aid, 9 out of 10, if compelled to work, could earn their own 
subsistence. They are dismissed as soon as may be, from a desire to keep 
down the numbers in the house. 



74 

The salary of the Superintendent is $325; and a hired man has $14 a 
month through the year. 

The expenditures for stock, labor &c. on the farm last year, 
were, . ... 

" for the poor in the house, 

" for the poor out of the house, 

" for erecting salt works, . 

Total cost, 

Receipts. — For labor on the highway, . 

" For oakum, ..... 

" For sales from the farm, 

" From the sale of salt, .... 

" From other towns for aid given to their poor, 

" From the State for States poor, 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures having been, . 
And the receipts, . . . 

The balance against the town was $2,000 00 

The town has for some years appropriated §2,000 a year for the expendi- 
tures of the Overseers of the Poor. With this appropriation, they have ob- 
tained the present establishment, which promises soon to relieve the town of 
much of its present cost for the poor. 



$303 01 


1,246 34 


620 18 


1,647 43 


$3,816 96 


$17 00 


154 12 


235 37 


220 94 


197 53 


992 00 


$1,816 96 


$3,816 96 


1,8.16 96 



COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH. 



MIDDL EB OR O UGH. 

Till one year preceding the last April, the poor of this town were bid off 
at auction to him who would take the charge of them for the smallest sum. 
The present establishment was begun on the 4th of April, 1831 . The Alms- 
house was a farm house. It is an L house, two stories high, and contains 
eleven lodging rooms for the poor. But it does not admit of classifying its 
inmates. The farm contains 112 acres, about 30 of which are good for grain 
and grass. The cost of the whole was $4,500. Of the poor, one man, and 
three women are capable each of a days work. One woman is capable of 
half a days work, and three men of a fourth of a days work. No others are 



75 

capable of any service. The poor work on the farm, and are hired out to 
work for individuals, and upon the roads. Of the 24 States poor in the 
House last year, 9 were Indians, 5 were blacks, and 2 were Irishmen. — 
Children are instructed in the town school. Magistrates do not send any to 
the House. Ardent spirits are given to the working men and women. — 
The salary of the Superintendent and his sister is $246. The average ex- 
pense for the poor for the five years preceding their removal to the farm 
was, $1,919 25 a year. 

The whole expenditure for the poor in the House last year was, $902 24 

v " " for the poor out of the House, . 

Salary of the Superintendent and sister, 
Allowance to Overseers, . . . . 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, 

Total cost, 

Receipts. — For the labour of the poor, . 

From other towns for aid to their poor, . 
" From the State for States poor, 

Total receipts, $697 57 

The expenditures having been, .... $1,62324 

And the receipts, ....... 697 57 

The balance against the town was, $925 67 



150 00 


246 00 


55 00 


270 00 


£1,623 24 


$25 00 


18 00 


654 57 



ABINGTON. 

The main house of the Almshouse measures 40 by 38 feet It was a farm 
house. Two additions have been made to it ; one for cooking and eating 
rooms, and the other for a shoe makers work room, and a place of confine- 
ment for the insane. The house is two stories high, and contans six lodging 
rooms for the inmates. From four to six sleep in a room. Great care is re- 
quired to secure the orderly conduct of the inmates. The farm contains 
50 acres, and the land is good for grain and grass. It was bought four years 
ago, and cost $2,500. The children are sent to the town school, and on an 
average are put into families at 8 years old. Ardent spirits are not allowed 
to the inmates. 



76 

Expenditures.— By orders on the Treasury, 
" Superintendent's salary, 

" Shop rent, .... 

" For poor out of the House, . 

" Unpaid debts of the year, 

" Interest on the farm, .... 

Total cost, 

Receipts. — The labour of the poor and Superintendent, . 
" From the State for States poor, 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures having been, . . . , 

And the receipts, . . 

The balance against the town was, $534 99 



$280 00 


250 00 


15 00 


143 00 


48 00 


150 00 


$836 00 


$219 61 


81 40 


$301 01 


$836 00 


301 01 



COUNTY OF WORCESTER. 



WORCESTER. 

The Almshouse was a farm house, but has been much enlarged. It is two* 
stories high, and measures 78 by 36 feet. There is a small out-building 
which contains two lodging rooms for the blacks. The establishment has 
18 lodging rooms for its inmates, and from one to four sleep in a room. — 
The farm contains 227 acres ; and the soil, taken together, is light. The es- 
tablishment has been in operation 14 years, and cost $7000. No one' of the 
inmates is capable of a days work. Two men and one woman can do half 
a days work, and three men a fourth of a days work. No others are capa- 
ble of any labour. None are sent by magistrates. Children go to the town 
school. The ministers in the town alternately preach in the House once in 
a month. The salary of the Superintendent is $350. The expense of hired 
help on the farm is $174. Ardent spirits are not given to the inmates. Of 
the wandering States poor who call for occasional aid, two thirds, if detained 
and kept from ardent spirits, and compelled to work, could earn their own 
subsistence. About thirty five thus annually call for aid. The average cost 
for the poor for five years before the establishment of the farm was annually 
$2,000. The expenditures and receipts for the poor during- the last year 
could not be obtained. 



77 



SHREWSBURY. 

The Almshouse was a farm house. It is two stories high, and measures 
36 feet by 30. It has six lodging rooms for the poor, and from one to five 
sleep in a room. The farm contains 119 acres, about 22 of which are wood 
land. The establishment has been in operation three and a half years, and 
cost $4,200. The poor work on the farm, and bind shoes. One woman is 
capable of a days work ; and one man and one woman of half a days work. 
No others are capable of any service. Ardent spirits are not allowed to the 
inmates. None are sent by magistrates. Children are instructed in the town 
school. Of the wandering Slates poor, nearly all could earn their living. — 
About thirty call in a year. The average cost for the poor for five years 
previous to their removal to the farm was $700. The salary of the Super- 
intendent is $265. No other salary is given. 

Expenditures for the poOr in the House last year, . . $534 93 

" for the poor out of the House, . . 78 57 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, .... 252 00 

Total cost, $865 00 

Receipts. — For sales from the farm, 

" From other towns for aid to their poor, . 

" From the State for States poor, 

Dower of a widow supported by the town, 
** Donation for the poor by a citizen of the town,, 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures having been, 

And the receipts, ........ 

The balance against the town was, $338 38 



$411 08 


27 52 


43 52 


30 00 


15 00 


$527 12 


$865 50 


527 12 



LANCASTER. 

The Almshouse is two stories high, and measures 50 by 25 feet. It has 
twelve lodging rooms for the poor, and from two to four sleep in a room. — 
The farm contains 150 acres, the soil of which is generally good. It was 
bought seven years ago last spring, and cost, with the stock, $4406 12. No 
work is done by the inmates except upon the farm. One woman is capable 
of a days work, and three men of a fourth of a days work. No others are 
capable of any service. Ardent spirits are not allowed to the inmates. — 
Children are instructed in the town school. Religious services are perform- 

11 h 



78 

ed in the House every Sunday. Few of the wandering States poor are seen 
here. But of those who are, nearly all seem to be capable of earning their 
own subsistence. Of the 21 now in the House, 10 are there from a natural 
incapacity to provide for, or to take care of themselves ; and nine of these 
can do little or nothing even under the direction of others. The town has a 
fund of $500, left to it by Samuel Ward, Esq., the interest of which is given 
to poor widows. The salary of the Superintendent is $225, and the three 
Overseers receive each $15. The expenditures and receipts of Lancaster 
for the poor during the last year could not be obtained. 



BOLTON. 

The almshouse was a good farm house. It is two stories high, and meas- 
ures 40 feet by 30. There is also an out building for the insane, which is 
warmed by a stove. There are 6 lodging rooms for the inmates, and from 1 
to 5 sleep in a room. The farm contains 75 acres, the soil of which is of an 
average quality with that of the town. The establishment has been in ope- 
ration nearly 6 years, and cost, with its stock, $3,600. 

The female inmates spin, knit and weave. One man, and one woman, 
are capable each of a days work; four women, and one man, of half a 
days work ; and no others are capable of any service. Ardent spirits are 
not allowed to the inmates. The children go to the town school. Religious 
services are performed in the house every Sunday. Few of the wandering 
poor come to the house. But those who apply for aid here, could, without 
exception, if kept from the use of ardent spirits, earn their own subsistence. 
When they come, they are set to work, and therefore soon leave the house. 
The rule and practice of the Overseers is, to aid none out of the house. The 
average cost for the poor before their removal to the farm was, about $750. 

Expenditures for food, clothing, medical attendance, and Super- 
intend ant, . , . . . . . $377 95 
Interest on the cost of the farm, , 216 00 



Total cost, $593 95 

Receipts. — For produce and labor from the farm, . . . 329 63 

V From other towns for aid to their poor, . . 30 51 

$360 14 

The expenditures having been, . $593 95 

And the receipts, ..,»•• 360 14 

The balance against the town was, $233 81 



w 



WESTMINSTER. 

Before the purchase of the farm, the poor were annually put up at auction 
to be taken by the lowest bidder for them. A farm was purchased for them 
on the 15th of March, 1830. The almshouse was a farm house. It meas- 
ures 38 feet by 30, and an addition which has been made to it, which 
measures 24 feet by 18. It has but 4 rooms for the inmates, and from 2 to 
5 sleep in a room. The farm contains 100 acres, the soil of which is good. 
Its cost, with the stock, was $3,500. Of the adults, only one woman is ca- 
pable of half a days work. Straw is braided by five children. Ardent spirits 
are not given to the inmates. The children are instructed in the town school. 
The Overseers assist none in the town except in the house. The salary of 
the Superintendent is $200 ; and $20 are paid for hired work in getting 
in hay. 

The whole expenditures for the poor last year were, . . $140 00 

Interest on the farm, ...... 210 00 



Total cost, $350 00 

The only receipts were, for sales from the farm, $221 28 

Balance against the town, $128 72 



TEMPLE TON. 

The almshouse is two stories high, and measures about 42 feet by 34. It 
has 7 lodging rooms for the inmates. The farm contains 200 acres, the soil 
of which is good. There are upon it about 20 acres of fine timber. The 
establishment has been in operation 6 years, and cost, with the stock, $3,200. 
Of the inmates, only 2 men and 2 women are capable each of half a days 
work. Worsted is taken into the house for spinning, and the two men above 
referred to, work upon the farm. Ardent spirits are not given to the inmates. 
When children are in the house, they are instructed in the town school, and 
are bound out by 9 or 10 years old. Few of the wandering poor are seen 
here ; but those who occasionally apply for aid, seem to be quite capable of 
earning their subsistence. The Overseers would be glad to receive twenty 
of them into their almshouse, for the avails of their labor, without any State 
allowance for them. None in the town are assisted by the Overseers out of 
the house. The salary of the Superintendent is $200 ; and $20 a year are 
appropriated for medical attendance. The average cost for the poor before 
their removal to the farm was $700. 



80 

Expenditures for the poor last year, .... $305 33 

Receipts. — From sales from the farm, .... $70 00 

" For supporting one of the poor of another town, . 43 33 



Total receipts, . . . . . . $113 33 

The expenditures having been, .... $305 33 

And the receipts, . . . . . . 113 33 



The balance against the town was, $192 00 



COUNTY OF HAMPDEN. 



SPRINGFIELD. 

The Almshouse is a very old building, and was formerly a farm house. — 
It was probably built a century ago. It is two stories high, and about 40 
feet square. It has nine lodging rooms for the poor, and from four to eight 
sleep in a room. No classification can be made of the inmates. Immorali- 
ties have resulted from this circumstance, but not recently. Only five acres 
of ground — a good garden spot, — belong to the establishment. Six or seven 
of the inmates were more or less employed on this ground during the last 
year. This has been the residence of the poor for 30 years, and it is sup- 
posed that it might have cost $1,200. No work is done, but upon the land, 
except by one of the inmates, the proceeds of whose labour are about $30 
a year. Two are capable of half a days work, and five of a fourth of a 
days work. States poor are always sent away as soon as possible. Of the 
wandering States poor, nearly all could earn their living. About three a 
week of these call at the House. Ardent spirits are not allowed to the in- 
mates. None are sent to the House by magistrates. Children are instruct- 
ed in the town school. Religious services are performed in the House every 
Sunday. The salary of the Superintendent is $140. No other salary is given. 
Expenditures for the poor in and out of the House last year, . $1,762 72 
Interest on the cost of the establishment, . ... 72 00 



Total cost, $1,834 72 

Receipts. — From other towns for aid given to their poor, . $74 25 

« Proceeds of work, ..... 30 00 

« From the State for States poor, . . . . 418 18 

Total receipts, $522 43 



81 

The expenditures having been, .... $1,83472 

And the receipts, . * 522 43 

The balance against the town was, $1,312 29 



COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE. 



NORTHAMPTON. 

The Almshouse was a farm house. It was purchased by the town, with 
the farm, in 1824. It is two stories high, and measures about 60 feet by 30. 
There is an out building which contains a work room, a school room, and 
lodging rooms. This building measures 60 by 20 feet. There are 10 rooms 
for the inmates, and from one to ten lodge in a room. There is also a room 
for the insane, which is warmed by the funnel of a stove which passes 
through it. The sexes are effectually separated. The farm contains about 
20 acres of poor soil. But it gave last year 100 bushels of corn ; 125 of po- 
tatoes ; 75 of peas for the market ; and 10 of beans. Three or four cows 
are also pastured upon it. The establishment has been in operation eight 
years, and cost $4,600. Three men and two women, of the inmates, are 
capable of half a days work ; and three men and three women, each of a 
fourth of a days work. The increase of inmates in winter is ascribed, in 
part, to the increased necessities of the towns poor in that season : and in 
part to the calls and demands of the wandering poor, who have done some 
work, and received some aid elsewhere in the summer, and at the approach 
of winter have been sent off to find a shelter and a home where they might. 
Ardent spirits are not allowed to the inmates. Children are instructed by 
one of the inmates in the House. Religious services are performed in the 
House every Sunday evening. Of the wandering poor, as many as a hun- 
dred call at the House in a year, and not less than two hundred are annually 
seen by the Overseers. Of these, three fourths might earn their own subsis- 
tence. The State poor are encouraged thus to apply for aid by their 
knowledge of the provision which the State has made for them ; and "they 
trouble the towns poor, by telling them that they, — the States poor, support 
them, — the towns poor." The Selectmen are Overseers of the poor apd as- 
sessors of the taxes. They also nominate the surveyors of highways, and 
the town uniformly elects those who are so nominated. 

The cost for the poor in the House last year was, . . $1,81167 

For the out door poor, . . . . . 465 99 

Interest on the cost of the establishment, . . . 276 00 

Whole cost, $2,553 66 



$141 25 
21 99 

1,165 37 


$1,328 61 

$2,553 66 
1,328 61 


$1,225 05 



82 



Receipts. — For sundries sold, and work on the highways, 
" From other towns for aid to their poor, 

" From the State for States poor, 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures having been, . 

And the receipts, ..... 

The balance against the town was, 



COUNTY OF FRANKLIN. 



GREENFIELD. 

This town has for many years had a Poor House, with a single acre of 
land belonging to it. It is a one story building, which measures 30 feet 
square. It has 4 rooms for the inmates below ; and a garret the length of 
the building. The females sleep below, and the males above. It is a stand- 
ing rule to aid none, except at the house, but in extraordinary cases, as of 
mental derangement ; and, when a few families may need few and small 
supplies for their comfort. The poor in the house are in the charge of a 
female housekeeper, whose wages are $1 25 per week. One of the Over- 
seers is required to be often at the house, for the superintendence of its con- 
cerns ; for which he receives $10 per annum. Two females are capable of 
a days work. No other of the inmates is capable of any work. The States 
poor demand aid on the ground of the State allowance for them ; and refuse 
to go to the poor house, pleading that they have a right to that which is sup- 
plied by the State. The Chairman of the Overseers thinks that he sees more 
than a hundred of the wandering poor annually ; and, of these, he has seen 
few, during the eight years in which he has been an Overseer, who, if kept 
from ardent spirits, and compelled to work, could not earn their own sub- 
sistence. The children are instructed in the town school, and are bound out 
by 12 years old. The average cost for the poor for the last five years, has 
been, $355 50. 

The cost for the poor last year was, .... $394 97 

Received from other towns for aid to their poor, . , * . $50 28 

" from the State for States poor, . . . 86 19 

Total receipts, $136 47 

The expenditures last year having been, .... $394 97 
And the receipts, . . . . . 136 47 

The balance against the town was, .... $258 50 



STATEMENTS 

Second. — Of the manner of disposing of the Poor, of Expenditures 
for them, dpc. in Towns which have neither Almshouses, nor Farms 
for employing and supporting them. 



COUNTY OF NORFOLK. 



CANTON, 

Canton has not had an Almshouse since 1823. After that time, the poor 
were sometimes put up at auction to the lowest bidder, and sometimes were 
boarded out in families by the Overseers. This last disposition is now made 
of them ; and they are boarded at 85 cents per week, the town taking the 
expense of clothing them. 

The whole cost for the poor last year was, . . . $1,101 12 

Received from the State for States poor, . 
" from other towns for aid to their poor, 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures having been, .... 
And the receipts, . . . . . 

The balance against the town was, $964 61 



$92 85 


43 66 


$136 51 


$1,101 12 


136 51 



STOUGHTON 

The poor of this town are annually sold at auction to the lowest bidder. 
He to whom they are so disposed of agrees to take all who shall be sent to 
him by the Overseers within the current year at the cost for each for which 
he takes those who are immediately committed to his care. Some are par- 
tially assisted by the Overseers, the cost for thus aiding them being less than 
would be incurred by putting them up at auction. Within twelve years past, 
the expense of supporting the poor who were sold has varied from 62 cents, 
to $1 a week for each of them. The turn for which they were taken last 



84 

year was 99 cents per week for each of them. The town owned an Alms- 
house and farm six years ago, and sold it with a view to the more economi- 
cal mode of providing for the poor, by the disposition which is now made 
of them. The farm contained 30 acres of land, and the establishment was 
sold for $750. The person who now takes the charge of them for 99 cents 
per week incurs every expense for them, not only for clothing and support, 
but in case of death, for their burial. 

The whole expense for the poor last year was, . . . $797 16 

Received from other towns for aid given to their poor, 
" from the State for States poor, 

Total receipts, 

The expenditures having been, 

And the receipts, .... 

The balance against the town was, $755 76 



$5 00 
36 40 


$41 40 

$797 16 
41 40 



COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH. 



EAST BR1DGEWATER. 

The Overseers of this town contract with one man to take the charge of 
five or six of the poor who are wholly supported by the town. A certain 
number are also partially aided in private families. The worth of the labor 
of all the poor supported by the town would not exceed $50. The average 
cost for supporting the poor during the last five years has been, $880. 

The whole expense for the poor last year was, . . 1,000 00 

Receipts, — From other towns for aid to their poor, . . $20 00 

" From the State for States poor, ... 427 02 

" From labour of the poor, . . . . 50 00 



Total receipts, $497 02 

The expenditures having been, ..... $1,00000 

And the receipts, ...... 497 02 

The balance against the town was, $502 98 



35 



COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, 



FRAMINGHAM. 

Previous to the last nine years, the poor were disposed of in a mass to the 
lowest bidder for them. Since that time, they have been placed at board 
in different families. For the first five of these nine years they were in the 
charge of one individual, who contracted to keep them for that time at 
$1000 per annum ; he to have, besides any proceeds of their labour, what- 
ever sums should be paid by other towns for the charge of their poor, and 
the State allowance for the States poor. In the succeeding year they were 
contracted for by another individual, who agreed, with the same privileges in 
regard to their labour, to the poor of other towns, and to the Slates poor, to 
take them for $750 a year. And for the three following years they were 
taken by another individual, with the same privileges, for $535 a year. — 
This contract extends to the 19th of next April, at which time the poor will 
be removed to a farm which has been purchased for them by the town. — 
For some years previous to the last nine years, the annual cost for the poor 
was from 12 to $],400 a year. The children in the charge of the Overseers 
have been sent to the town school. Of the wandering States poor, nearly 
all, if compelled to work, could earn their own subsistence. Cost for the 
poor last year independent of the State allowance, $535. The State allow- 
ance for States poor, $68 18. Total cost for the poor, $603 18. 



COUNTY OF WORCESTER. 



BROOKFIELB. 

The poor of this town were first collected into an almshouse upon a farm 
on the 10th of the last April. As opportunity has not yet been had here for 
a trial of the self-supporting system, it was not thought proper to place this 
among the towns to which reference might be had for a knowledge of the 
character and value of that system. 

The average cost for the poor of this place per annum, for the 

last five vears, ending April 10th, 1832, has been, . . $1,444 49 

12 h 



86 

The whole cost for the poor during the year preceding the estab- 
lishment of the farm was, ..... $1,544 80 
Its allowance for the charge of States poor was, . . 49 17 



Balance against the town, $1,495 63 

The town have adopted the rule and practice, that no one shall be aided 
by the Overseers, except under circumstances of peculiar urgency, but at the 
farm. It is also a rule, that no ardent spirits shall be given to the inmates of 
the house. The wandering poor " appear to be able to earn their subsis- 
tence. When directed to the almshouse for relief, and told that they must 
labor there, they have kept on their way." 



LEOMINSTER. 

The permanent poor of this place are boarded, nursed, clothed, and attend- 
ed by a physician, if necessary, w r ith a contractor who takes them for three 
years. This has been the practice for the last ten years. The present con- 
tractor has taken this class of the poor for 70 cents per week. These per- 
manent poor consist of those adults, who, it is known, must always be a 
charge to the town. In case of the death of either of them, the contractor is 
allowed $10 for the expenses of his or her funeral. Small children are 
boarded out in families till they are 8 years old, at which average age they 
are bound out. The cost for these is 40 cents per week. The poor who 
require only occasional relief, receive it, as it is required, from the Overseers. 
Only one man, of the permanent poor, is capable of half a days work. 

The average expense for the poor for the last five years has been, $1,100 00 

The expense for the poor during the last year was, . . $997 50 

Received from other towns for aid to their poor, . . 139 07 



Balance against the town, $858 43 



COUNTY OF HAMPDEN. 



BRT31F1ELD. 



The poor of this town are disposed of to those who will take them at the 
lowest price ; regard being had by the Overseers to those by whom they will 



87 

be most justly and kindly treated. In the cases of permanent States poor $ 
the practice is to board them in families which will take them for the sum 
allowed for them by the State. Two States poor were so boarded in the 
town last year. Of the poor taken by the lowest bidder, the average cost 
per week for adults is, 75 cents. For children, 35 cents. The children in 
the charge of the Overseers are bound out between the ages of 8 and 12 
years, till they are 16 years old ; at which time it is thought they may pro- 
vide for themselves. They are instructed in the town school. Of the wan- 
dering States poor, about 20 pass in a year ; and nearly all, if detained, and 
compelled to work, could earn their own subsistence. 

The cost for the adults last year was, .... $480 25 

For the children, ...... 142 75 



Total cost, $633 00 

Received from the State last year for States poor, » . $115 39 



$517 61 



3IONSON. 

Previous to the last two years, the poor were disposed of to the lowest 
bidder. During the last two years, they have been placed with different in- 
dividuals with whom they could be boarded at the lowest cost. Of the poor 
taken by the lowest bidder, the average cost for adults has been 60 cents per 
week. For children 30 cents per week. The practice in regard to children 
is, to bind them out as soon as possible. They are instructed in the town 
school. Three of the children will be permanently poor from blindness. Of 
the wandering States poor, not more than ten are seen by the Overseers in a 
year. But " half of these could earn their living." 

Cost for the poor last year, . .... $780 04 

Received from other towns for aid to their poor, . . $18 00 

" from the State for States poor, . . .174 63 

$192 63 
Balance against the town, $587 41 



88 



WEST SPRINGFIELD, 

Previous to the last six years the poor were separated into lots, and bid off 
at auction to those who would take them for the lowest sum. They were 
then, however, neither well fed nor well clothed, and a change was found 
necessary in the manner of disposing of them. The plan was therefore 
adopted of contracting with an individual to take the charge of them for a 
sum which was thought adequate to their comfortable support. Two indi- 
viduals thus took them, each for a year. Another then took them for the 
three succeeding years ; and, sixteen months ago, another contracted to take 
the charge of them for five years, for $1,000 a year, he to be liable for ex- 
penses of every kind for the towns poor. The average cost for the poor for 
the last five years has been $1,000 per annum. The States poor are annu- 
ally boarded with those who will take them for the States allowance ; the 
town being obliged to pay between twenty and thirty dollars a year, in ad- 
dition to this allowance, for their clothing, and for medical attendance upon 
them. Of the poor when visited, one woman was capable of a days work : 
one man of half, and two men of a fourth of a days work. Of the wander- 
ing poor, not more than six call in a year. But they could all earn their living. 
Cost for the towns poor last year, .... $1,000 00 

For the States poor, the State allowance foi them, . . 223 36 

Additional for clothing and medical attendance for them, . 35 00 

From other towns for aid to their poor, . . . 35 37 

Total cost, $1,293 73 

The actual cost to the town was, . $1,035 00 



GBANVILLE. 

Till the present year, the practice of this town has been to place the poor 
with those who would take the charge of them for the smallest sum. They 
have all, this year, been taken by an individual. Those who take the States 
poor receive the whole of the States allowance for the charge of them. It 
is not thought desirable thus to obtain the charge of the States poor, but, on 
the contrary, it is difficult to find boarding places for them upon these terms. 
The average cost for the whole poor during the last five years has been, $630. 
The cost for the whole during the last year was, . . . 610 66 

The receipts for States poor were, .... $134 23 

For the poor of other towns, . . . . . 00 00 

The balance against the town therefore was, $ 476 43 



89 



WESTFIELD. 

Previous to the last four years, the poor here were generally placed at 
board with those who would take them for the smallest sum, regard being 
had to the consideration that they were to be faithfully provided for. Four 
years ago they were contracted for by an individual who agreed to take the 
towns poor to his own house, to feed, lodge and clothe them, in case of need 
to provide a physician for them, and if they should die, to bury them. For 
this charge of the towns poor he received $448 50. In the three succeeding 
years they .were disposed of at auction to the lowest bidder. A part of the 
States poor are boarded with those who will take them for the amount per 
week allowed by the State ; and to a part of them this allowance is given 
for their support. Five thus receive this allowance ; two of whom are a 
mother and her daughter, and the three others, also females, are single per- 
sons. Of the poor now in the charge of the Overseers, only one man is ca- 
pable of a days w T ork ; and two of a fourth of a days work. Pool* children 
go to the town school, and are bound out by 12 years of age. The average 
cost for the poor during the last five years has been $950 00. 

The whole cost for the poor last year was, . . . $928 43 

Receipts. — From the State for States poor, „ . . $417 43 

From other towns for aid to their poor, . . . . 15 00 



Total receipts, $432 43 

The cost having been, ...... $928 43 

And the receipts, ...... 432 43 



The balance against the town was, $496 00 



COUNTY OF BERKSHIRE. 



SANDISFIELB. 

There has been no uniform mode of providing for the poor of this town» 
The general practice has been to place them in families in which they will 
be kindly treated. Till within twenty years there was no tax for the poor in 
this town. The average cost for the poor for the last five years has been 
$375 00. The average cost for boarding adults and children, in the charge 
of the Overseers, has been, for each, $37 50. No wandering States poor 



90 

pass through this place. Poor children are bound out as soon as they are 

capable of any service. They are instructed in the town school. 

The cost for the poor last year was, . . . $350 00 

Receipts from the State for States poor, .... $63 48 

Balance against the town, . . . . . $286 52 



NEW MARLBOROUGH. 

The poor of this town have usually been boarded with different individu- 
als. They are now with one who has contracted to take the entire charge 
of them. The cost for boarding and clothing adults during the last year 
was, $40 each. For boarding and clothing children, $20 each. The aver- 
age cost for the poor for the last five years, has been $637 42. 
The whole expenditures for the poor last year were, . . $650 87 

Receipts. — From the State for States poor, . . . $23 34 

" From other towns for aid to their poor, . . 4 00 

Total receipts, $27 34 

The expenditures having been, ..... $650 87 
And the receipts, . . . . . . 27 34 

The balance against the town was, $623 53 

Few of the wandering States poor are seen here, and no expense to the 
State is incurred for them. 



TYRINGHAM. 

The Overseers contract with different individuals for the support of the 
poor. Of the States poor, 11 are Americans, and 4 are Foreigners. Two 
are from New York ; one from Connecticut ; one from Rhode Island, and 
seven belong to Massachusetts. Four are blacks. Of the number of poor 
now in the charge of the Overseers, two are capable of doing a days work ; 
three of half a days work ; and three of a fourth of a days work. The aver- 
age cost for the poor for the last five years, has been $765 00. 
The whole cost for the poor last year was, . . . $647 00 

The only receipt of the last year was the State allowance, . 371 57 

Balance against the town, $275 43 



91 



SHEFFIELD, 

The poor here were formerly boarded in the families of different indi- 
viduals. For five years past they have been in the charge of one individual, 
who has provided an almshouse, and has kept the poor together. During 
the year before this provision for them, 49 poor were in the charge of the 
Overseers, and the cost for them was $1,967 00. When it was made known 
that the contractor who had engaged to take the support of them would give 
assistance to none except at the almshouse, but in cases of illness in which 
they could not be removed to it, only 17 of the 49 could be persuaded, on 
these terms, to accept of aid from the town. The indolent were excited to 
exertion, and the self-indulgent to self-denial. This individual took the poor 
for the first of these five years, for $825. For the second, for $750. For 
the third, for $625. For the fourth, for $575. And for the last yeai, f^r 
$475. The whole number in the charge of the Overseers when this alms- 
house was visited, on the 27th of November last, was eight ; not one of whom 
was capable of any service. 

The largest number of the States poor who come here are foreigners. The 
American States poor come from New York and Connecticut. The States 
poor are provided for with, and in the same manner as, the towns poor. — 
The contractor takes the whole for a given sum, agreeing to exonerate the 
town from all cost, except for one of the States poor who cannot be remov- 
ed to his Almshouse. Of the wandering States poor, two thirds, if kept 
from ardent spirits, and compelled to work, could earn their own subsistence. 
As many as thirty of them have called at the House during the past year. — 
Some of them have pleaded their right to be assisted, on the ground of the 
State allowance for them. Children are instructed in the town school, and 
are furnished with all necessary books. They are bound out by 10 or 12 
years old. 

The whole cost for the poor last year, including $25 for some 

extraordinary expenses was, ..... $665 00 
The only receipt was, the State allowance, . . . 185 01 

Balance against the town, $479 99 



EGREMONT. 

The poor of this town are put up at auction to the lowest bidder. Of 
fourteen, now in the charge of the Overseers, seven are States poor. Of rhe 
States poor, four are Americans, and three are foreigners. Of the foreign- 



92 

ers, who are all Irish, two came to this place four years ago, from Sheffield, 
because they would not go to the Almshouse there, and could here be sup- 
ported when at liberty. Probably twenty of the wandering poor call on the 
Poor Master in a year, three fourths of whom could earn their own subsis- 
tence. They are principally foreigners. The travelling poor arc encour- 
aged to come into the State by their knowledge of a State provision for them. 
In the adjoining County of Columbia, in New York, no poor are aided but 
at the poor house. They therefore prefer to live in Massachusetts. The 
average cost for the poor here, for the last five years, has been, $407 60. 
The cost for the poor last year was, . . . . $427 55 

The allowance for States poor last year was, . . . 266 04 

Balance against the town, $161 51 



GREAT BARRINGTON. 

During the last five years, the poor have once been put up at auction to 
the lowest bidder, and at other times have been contracted for by an indi- 
vidual ; the Selectmen having advertised for proposals to take the whole 
who may then be, and in any way shall through the year become, a charge 
to the town. It is not agreed in this contract, that the individual who takes 
the poor shall receive the amount of the State allowance for such State poor 
as he may have to assist, or to support. This allowance goes into the town 
Treasury. The Keeper of the poor renders an account to the Overseers of 
the arrivals, departures, and deaths of the States poor who go to him for as- 
sistence, who, from this, make out their account against the State. The 
State poor are accustomed to refer to the State allowance for them as a 
ground of their right to the aid of the Overseers. But it is the policy of the 
Oveiseers, and one of the stipulations of the bond given by the Keeper, that 
he shall dismiss all States poor from his charge as soon as possible. Of the 
wandering States poor, as many as fifty come annually under the notice of 
the Overseers, nearly all of whom could earn their own subsistence. The 
average cost for the poor during the last five years has been, $950. 
The cost for the poor last year was, .... $890 75 

Received from other towns for aid to their poor, . . 27 50 

From the State for States poor, ..... 322 17 

Total receipts, $349 67 

The whole cost having been, ..... $890 75 

And the receipts, ....... 349 67 

The balance against the town was, $541 08 



93 



STOCKBR1DGE. 

The Overseers here contract with an individual to take the charge of (he 
whole of the poor, with the exception of two ; one an aged and respectable 
female, and the other an insane woman. The poor of this place have never 
been put up at auction to the lowest bidder. The contractor takes all who 
shall come upon the town for aid. The State allowance passes into the town 
Treasury. The States poor have applied here for aid, anil have demanded 
it, on the ground of their right to- it, a provision having been made for them 
by the State. But no aid is given to them on this ground. They have pro- 
posed to the Overseers to secure the town from all expense for them, on 
the condition of a payment to them of the allowance granted by the State. 
But very few, not more than eight or ten of the wandering poor pass through 
this place. Of these, nearly all might earn their own subsistence. The 
average cost for the poor -for the last five years has been, $600. That is, the 
annual cost for these years have been, $800, 575, 575, 525, 525. 
The whole cost for the poor last year was, . . . $525 00 

Receipts.— From other towns for aid to their poor, 
From the State for States poor, . 

Total receipts, $245~50 

The cost having been, 
And the receipts, 

The balance against the town was, go-y 50 





WEST STOCKBKIDGE. 

For the five years previous to the last year, the poor were disposed of to- 
gether in a lot to the lowest bidder; the person so taking them agreeing to 
take the entire charge of all then dependent upon the town for aid, both 
State and towns poor, and of any additional poor whom it might be necessary 
to assist during the term of his contract. Should any additional States poqr 
come into the town, for whom assistance should be required, the contractor 
was to receive whatever the State might allow for them. Probably 40 of the 
wandering poor pass through this town ; and, of these, "about all," if de- 
barred from the use of ardent spirits, and compelled to work, could earn 
their own subsistence. The travelling poor are encouraged to a life of beg- 
gary by their knowledge of the State provision for them. The sum for 
winch the poor have been bid off averages for each about $38 50 perannuu, 

10 h 



94 

The average cost for the poor for the last five years has been, $506 00. 

The cost for the poor last year was, .... $580 00 

The only receipt of the last year was, the allowance for States 

poor, ..... . .«""'. $396 81 

Balance against the town, $183 19 



LENOX, 

The poor of this town, as far as it is known to the Overseers, have never 
been put up at auction. A part of them are aided in their own families, and 
a part of them are boarded in the families of others. This course is taken 
alike with States and towns poor. For boarding the States poor, the State 
allowance is always given in cases in which they may be so provided for. 
Frequently an increased expense is incurred for them by reason of sickness, 
&c. Of the travelling States poor, as many as 50 pass annually ; and " all, 
if set to work, might earn their living. We hurry them on to other towns 
as fast as we can." They claim the support of the town as a right, on the 
ground of the State allowance for them. The States poor "talk of their ra- 
tions, and ask if any are yet behind ?" The average cost for the poor for the 
five last, years, has been $650 00. 

The cost for the whole, last year, was, .... $742 83 
The only receipt was the State allowance, . . . 380 83 



Balance against the town, $362 00 



PITTSFIELD. 

For twelve years past the poor of this place were contracted for by two 
individuals, each for a term of six years. Each of these individuals agreed, 
for a specified sum, to exonerate the town from all charge, both for States 
and towns poor, during the term of his contract. The first contractor re- 
ceived from the town $1,050 per annum, he to receive in addition all that 
might be due from other towns for the charge of their poor, but nothing from 
the State on account of the States poor. The second contractor received 
81,100 per annum, all that was received from other towns for their poor, and 
half of the States allowance for States poor ; the poor to be supported to the 
satisfaction of the Overseers for the time being. Each of these contractors 
provided a house exclusively for the poor, where all were kept together, ex- 



95 

cept those who could be placed with their friends for a smaller cost than 
would have been incurred for them in the house. In the first case, the town 
had the exclusive benefit of the State allowance. In the last it was divided 
between the contractor and the town. It cannot be estimated what was the 
gain to either by this arrangement. In the year preceding these twelve 
years, the cost for the poor was $1,600. They were then boarded out by the 
Overseers in private families. A farm was last year purchased by the town, 
to which the poor are now removed. About 100 of the wandering poor an- 
nually pass under the notice of the Overseers; and, of these, three fourths 
appear to be able to earn their own subsistence. The States poor claim -as- 
sistance on the ground of the State allowance for them. 
The whole cost for the poor last year was, . . . $1,380 92£ 

The only receipt for the poor was the State allowance, . 561 85 



Balance against the town, $819 07 



LANESBOROUGH. 

The poor here are either boarded out in families by the Overseers, who 
make private bargains with those who will take them for the smallest sum, 
and treat them kindly ; or, in case partial aid is needed in a family, it is given 
there by the Overseers. Few of the wandering poor are seen here. But 
those who are seen appear to be capable of labor. The States poor are en- 
couraged to apply for aid by their knowledge of a State provision for them ; 
and as soon as persons of this description become dependent, there is a dis- 
position to avail of the State allowance for them. The average cost for the 
poor for the last five years, has been $498 20. 

The cost for the poor last year was, . . . . $490 00 

The only receipt for the poor was the State allowance, . 452 01 



Balance against the town, $37 99 



COUNTY OF FRANKLIN. 



DEERF1ELD. 



For the last ten years the poor of this place have been in the charge o.( 
one individual, who contracted to take the charge of them for that term; he 



96 

to receive 8450 per annum from the town ; and, in addition, for the States 
poor, all that the State should allow for them. He was also to receive from 
other towns whatever might be due from them for the charge of any of 
their poor. The term of this contract expired on the 1st of October last. — 
The town is now looking anxiously for some plan for the future charge of 
the poor, which shall be at once the most humane, and the most economical. 
The above contract was made in consequence of the offer of the contractor 
to take the poor for JO per cent, less than they had cost the town during the 
preceding ten years. The poor had formerly been boarded out in families 
by the Overseers. But the contractor built a house for them, and determin- 
ed to aid none except at the house he had provided. Several, therefore, 
who had been a town charge, were no longer aided by the town. 

The cost for the towns poor last year was, . . . $450 00 

For States poor, . . . . . . 81 64 

For the whole, $531 64 

The balance against the town was, $450 00 

Of the wandering States poor, about 25 or 30 annually pass under the no- 
tice of the Overseers, nearly all of whom might earn their own living. The 
States poor "come with the story that they are entitled to support from the 
State allowance." 



COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE. 



WORTHINGTON. 

The practice here has been, and is, for the Overseers of the poor person- 
ally to give such assistance to families which may be in want, as they shall 
think to be proper. When individuals who have not families must be pro- 
vided for, they are placed in families by the Overseers, to be boarded for the 
time during which they may require the charity of the town. The cost for 
the poor in this town has been, in 1287, $75 ; in 1828, $00 ; in 1829, $75 ; 
in 1830, $137 ; in 1831, $84. These sums have been voted to the Overseers 
from year to year, and the expenses for the poor have been kept within them. 
Total cost for the poor for five years, $371. 



97 



HADLEY. 

Previous to the two last years, the Overseers assisted personally those who 
had need of the aid of the town. When single individuals required assis- 
tance, they were boarded in families in which their service would conduce 
to their support. For the last two years, the poor have been put up at auc- 
tion ; that those thus bidding them off, by availing themselves of their capa- 
city to work, might take them for a smaller cost than that for which they 
had before been supported. Of the wandering States poor, as many as a 
hundred are seen annually by the Overseers ; and of these, 8 out of 10, if 
kept from ardent spirits, and compelled to work, could earn their own sub- 
sistence. The average cost for the poor for the last 5 years has been $700 03. 
The cost for the poor last year was, .... $6(53 20 

The only receipt for them was the State allowance, . . 40 81 



Balance against the town, $622 39 



AMHERST. 

For two, within the last ten years, the poor of this place were disposed of 
at auction to the lowest bidder. In the other of these years the Overseers 
have boarded single persons in private families ; have sometimes aided fam- 
ilies at their homes ; and have sometimes committed a certain number of 
families, and of single persons, to an individual who agreed to provide a 
house for them, where they might live together, cook for themselves, and 
otherwise do what they could for each other. No distinction has been made 
in the provision for State and towns poor. This is the manner in which the 
poor are now provided for. The average cost for supporting the poor is es- 
timated to be from 70 to 75 cents per week. The Chairman of the Over- 
seers thinks that he sees a hundred of the wandering poor pass through this 
place in a year ; and that three fourths of them might earn their own sub- 
sistence. Children are instructed in the town school, and are generally 
bound out by 9 years old. 

The whole expense for the poor last year was, . . . $750 00 

The only receipt for the poor was the State allowance, . . 128 52 

Balance against the town, $621 48 



ich J. 



OF THESE WERE 



•8 c 
Si 

I B 
3 5 


o 
o 
Ph 
</> 

c 

o 


Ml families. 


2-5ths, or 494 families. 


2 9 


51 


£ 1 


29 


& 1 fam. 


34 fam. 


1 individ. 


40 fam. &. 3 individ. 



TABLE I. Statistics of the Poor in Towns which have Almshouses, with Land for the employment of the Poor. 



s rres 


Zi 


a E^ 


™ 


.»», 


If >. 


orTHES 




s ~i 














OF THESE LAST WERE, 




^-^"^ 




OF THESE WERE 


s 


1 
55 


1 


1 

03 


£ 


■ 


! 


S 


1 


o 


§ 


1 


| 


<s 


g 


4 


§ 


ijg 




o 2<a 


£ 


| 


SI i FOLK. 

Boston. 


61S92 496 


263 


233 


1428 


9)3 


515 


499 


293 


206 


170 


179 


150 


51 


2S 


2 




over 70 
29 






300 


Excluding Idiots and Insane. 

3-4 


1-3 


1237 families, of which 


3-5ths, or 


741 families. 


2-5ths, or 494 families. 


ESSEX. 














































104 are city pensioners. 








Salem. 
MarbleheaJ. 


138S0 030 
5150 105 


7 


98 


457 
181 


197 
12 


260 
109 


155 

109 


33 

1 


122 

108 


08 
22 


66 

77 


21 
10 


19 
4 


18 


5 

1 


21 

38 


23 

over 70 


4 

2 





Nearly all except 


9-10 
3-4 


about 1-10 
1-10 


60 families. 
30 




9 

1 


51 
29 


Lynn. 


6133 j 65 


6 


59 


50 


6 


44 


52 


6 


46 


22 


13 


17 








1 




5 






18 


17 




20 individuals, and a 








Beverly, 


4065 


30 


6.1 


23 J 


58 


1 


57 


27 


1 


26 


10 


12 


5 


3 


1 





5 


2 


3 





17 


3-4 


6 or 8 


few aged couples. 
35 fam. & some indivi. 


12 individ 


• & 1 fam. 


34 fam. 


Cilouc ester, 


7501 


75 


101 


64| 


128 





123 


S2 


4 


78 


21 


40 


21 


2 


1 


2 










56 


3-4 


16 


52 fam. & 4 individ. 


12 fam. & 


1 individ. 




Ipswich. 


2951 


50 


4 


46 


54 
n 6 months, 


9 


45 


47 


1 


46 


22 


25 





1 


1 


1 


9 


10 


6 


1 


33 


23 




12 families. 







All. 


Rowley, 


2044 


42 






60 


45 


15 


27 


11 


16 


14 


10 


3 


2 


2 





7 


5 








13 


20 


about double. 


4 fam. & 10 individ. 




1 




Newburv. 


3603 


65 


26 


39 


107 


34 


73 


49 


12 


37 


IS 


18 


13 





2 





5 


5 


4 


1 


25 


40 


1-3 


15 fam. & 18 individ. 


3 individ 


. & 3 fam. 


12 fam. & 12 individ. 


Newburvport. 


638S 


99 






147 


30 


117 


85 






39 


38 


8 


6 


2 


1 


12 


9 


5 


1 


62 


3-4 


1-8 


124 families. 


52 fam. 




72 fam. 


Essex. 


1346 


IS 






22 


1 


21 


20 






4 


13 


3 


1 


• 1 





10 






1 


17 


11 




8 








Andover, 


4540 


32 


4 


28 


65 


15 


50 


33 


2 


31 


10 


17 


6 


3 


2 


1 


5 


3 


2 





20 






20 fam. & IS individ. 


1 fam. 




19 fam. 


Haverhill, 


3912 33 






50 


8 


42 


30 






11 


13 


6 


3 


2 


2 


5 


3 


3 


1 


24 




6 or 7 


3 fam. &, 19 individ. 








MIDDLESEX. 




















idults 


































Charlestown. 


8TS7 I 184 


115 


69 


325 


240 


85 


150 


97 


53 


100 




44 


3 


2 





33 


16 


7 


2 


50 


more than 3-4 


1-4 


90 




50 


40 


Canibridse. 


6073 100 






305 


289 


16 


104 


92 


12 


03 


20 


21 


5 


1 





17 


10 


2 





20 


3-4 


1-3 


20 







20 


Medford, 


1755 30 


10 


20 


42 


8 


34 


25 


7 


18 


8 


11 


6 


4 








I 


4 


1 





18 




1-4 













Maiden, 


2010 


30 


20 


18 


40 


16 


24 


24 


10 


14 


8 


11 


5 


2 


2 





3 





2 





17 




1-4 










Watertown, 


1641 


25 


8 


17 


54 


16 


38 


30 


12 


IS 


11 


11 


8 


1 





1 


2 


3 


1 





11 


'11 men, and all the 
female State poor. 


less. 


10 fam. & 52 individ. 








Waltham, 


1851 


12 


1 


11 


15 


4 


11 


7 


1 


6 


7 








1 








3 


1 








7 


3 





6 







6 


Littleton, 


947 


16 


less than 


15 
note than 


23 


2 


21 


15 





15 


3 


6 


6 


2 


1 


1 


3 





2 





10 


5 
















Lexington, 


1541 


33 


1 

in 5 yrs. 


32 


26 





26 


14 


1 


13 


4 


4 


6 











1 


2 


1 





8 


5 




4 fam. & 12 individ. 







All. 


Marlborough, 
Concord, 


2074 


28 




40 





40 


24 





24 


8 


10 


6 











1 


4 


7 


1 


18 


15 


1-3 













2017 


30 


2 


28 


38 


1 


37 


18 





18 


5 


12 


1 


3 





1 


3 


5 


3 





17 


16 


10 


4 fam. & 8 individ. 







All. 


Chelmsford, 


13S7 


10 


1 


9 


15 


1 


14 


3 





3 


1 


2 














1 


1 








3 


2 




2 







2 




1329 


25 


1 


24 


31 





31 


12 





12 


4 


8 





2 


1 





3 











6 


6 


3 












Groton. 


1925 


32 


2 


30 


36 


4 


32 


24 





24 


6 


10 


8 


1 











5 


3 





16 


10 





2 fam. & 4 individ. 




2 


2 fam. & 2 individ. 


NORFOLK. 




50 






66 


6 


60 


36 


18 


18 


20 


12 


4 


4 


1 





6 


1 


5 





12 


2-3 


1-3 


28 individ. and 8 fam. 




15 








7 


39 


52 


11 


41 


37 


7 


30 


17 


16 


4 


5 


1 


1 


13 


4 


I 





30 


18 


1-4 


10 fam. 


2 fam. 




8 fam. 


Q,uincy, 


2193 


22 





22 


20 


4 


16 


16 


3 


13 


7 


9 








1 


1 


i2 


2 


1 





15 


8 


3 or 4 


2 fam. 







2 fam. 


PLYMOUTH. 
Middleborough, 
Abington, 


500S 
2423 


76 
23 


21 
1 


55 

22 






63 

26 


30 

IS 





29 
18 


6 
5 


13 

7 


11 

6 


1 

3 


2 



1 




5 
1 


6 

8 


3 







19 
12 






12 

5 




7 
2 




75 

27 


12 
1 


15 


1-4 

6 


3 


BRISTOL. 
Taunton, 


6045 


40 


3 
4 
more than 
half. 


37 


59 


5 


54 
12 


28 
14 


4 

2 


24 
12 


9 
4 


14 
4 


5 
6 




1 


2 






4 
1 


5 



5 
1 






19 
5 


9-10 
3 


10 or 12 


20 fam. 


1 fam. 




5 fam. & 1 individ. 


Fairhaven, 
Xew Bedford, 


7592 


40 




120 


75 


45 


39 


14 


25 


23 


9 


7 


4 


3 





4 


5 


2 





9 


20 













WORCESTER. 
Worcester, 


4172 


25 


5 


20 


55 


9 


46 


24 


6 


IS 


12 


S 


4 





2 


1 


4 


1 


6 





15 


12 


75 per cent. 


12 fam. 




1 


11 
1 fam. <fc 1 individ. 


Shrewsbury, 


1336 


12 


2 




16 


2 


14 


13 





13 


5 


5 


3 


2 








4 


3 








8 


11 


3 


1 fam. & 3 individ. 




2 




Lancaster, 
Bolton, 


2016 
125S 


25 
16 


in 5 years 
. 1 




16 


27 
19 








27 
19 


21 
16 






21 
16 


6 
2 
3 


13 

7 
3 


2 

7 
7 


1 



3 







8 
3 


6 

2 







1 





20 
9 
6 


4 
10 
3 




2 or 3 
















Westminster, 


1695 


11] 

10 









11 







7 




4 




1 


1 


1 


1 











6 


2 














Templeton, 




















































FRANKLIN- 

Greenfield, 


1 540 


7 


3 


4 


22 


5 


17 


S 


3 


5 


6 


2 








1 








2 


1 


1 





2 




5 families. 








HAMPDEN. 
Springfield, 

HAMPSHIRE. 


6784 
3613 


29 
127 


6 to 7 
109 


22 to 23 
18 


33 
109 


13 
94 


20 
15 


17 
30 


4 
' 13 


13 
17 


8 
13 


9 

8 




9 


1 
144 





2 



28 


3 

4 

253 


5 

6 

202 


4 



1 




16 

26 
1019 


16 
3-4 


6 toS 
1-3 


20 fam. & 33 individ. 
398 individ. & 1666 fam. 


106 individ". 


<fe813fam.j 


216 individ. <fc 713 lam. 


tab, 


1 2*5881 


2406; 


654 


1138 


4535 


2097 


2438_ 











































hicli to employ them. 



r WERE, 






2 
_2_ 
51 



2 





4 


4 


1 


3 





2 


6 





7 


1 


2 


5 


I 


2 





2 



4 
3 

52 




-bo 

re O aj 
£ £~ 

«§£ 

fa C.vg 



s.SS.'g-g 
o a 



>>o 



17 



11 
14 

22 
17 
22 



7 
14 

20 

7 

20 

12 

6 

8 

18 

9 



12 

13 
15 

262 



27 



11 
17 



11 

3 

21 

2 
14 



1 

8 

16 

1 

2 

11 

8 

8 

4 

17 



13 
13 



— — - 










n^a ui U1C J 


roor 


in J 


U)WJ 


IS w 


inch 


have ik 


>t La 


n d on x\ 


liich 


to empl 


oy them. 




COUNTIES 


-8 


S i'Z 


OF THE 


E IV ERE 


II 






i : 

















*==»«= 




====55 


- — ■— 


' i i ■ ■ 






»■! « 






s 1 & 

2 ~" 






cO-s 












OF THE LAST WERE, 










(2 


1 




TOWNS. 


£ 
s 


a 


1 


\ 


1 




I 


i 


-d 


li 


I 


§ 


s 

1 


f 1 


i.Plf 


Canton, 
Stoughton, 


151? 
1591 








43 

17 individuals and 


7 
1 


36 
19 


17 
11 


1 


16 


16 


1 




i 


i 


1 


8 


4 


1 



















3 families. 
































PLYMOUTH. 












































East Bridgewater, 


1653 


25 


9 


16 


35 


10 


25 


33 


7 


26 


18 


15 


















27 


MIDDLESEX. 












































Framingliam, 


2313 


44 


3 


41 


32 


4 


28 


15 


2 


13 
























WORCESTER. 












































Brookfield, 
Leominster, 


2342 

1862 


54 
26 


2 



52 
26 


80 
26 





78 
26 


26 

27 






26 
27 


22 
24 


4 


3 
2 


i 






1 


3 

2 


8 


8 
4 


I 




17 


11 
17 


HAMPDEN. 












































Brimfield, 


1599 


25 


4 


21 


33 


































Monson, 


2264 


30 


12 


18 


42 


20 


22 




c 


13 

22 












4 










11 


11 


West Springfield, 


3270 


32 


7 


25 


47 


7 


40 


30 


8 




8 

4 










14 
22 
17 

22 


3 


Granville, 
Westfield, 


1649 
2940 


15 
25 


3 
10 


12 
15 


23 
44 


5 
15 


18 
29 


20 

28 


16 
16 


4 
12 


20 
24 


1 
2 


1 
1 






6 


1 








2 
14 


BERKSHIRE. 












































Sandisfield, 


1665 


10 


3 


7 


14 


7 


7 


10 


o 


8 


7 


3 


j 




















7 
14 
20 

7 


1 


New Marlborough, 


1656 


15 


li 


13J 


18 


1 


17 


18 


1 


17 


15 


3 





5 





4 


Tyringham, 


1351 


25 


10 


15 


34 


15 


19 


26 


15 


11 


17 


9 


I 


1 











16 
1 

2 


Sheffield, 


2392 


15 


8 


7 


20 


12 


8 


8 


4 


4 


7 


1 











() 






Egremont, 


8S9 


17 


10 


7 


15 


8 


7 


14 


7 




13 


1 










6 







Great Barrington, 


2276 


41 


15 


26 


41 


13 


28 


26 


10 


16 


20 


6 


I 


3 


1 






1 






Stockbridge, 


1581 


16 


7 


9 


14 


6 


8 


19 


11 


8 


13 


6 


2 





1 


o 


5 












West Stockbridge, 


1208 


13 


10 


3 


19 


14 


5 


13 


8 


5 


10 


3 





2 





1 










6 


8 


Lenox, 


1355 


21 


15 


6 


26 


15 


11 


21 


14 


7 


11 


10 


2 


1 


2 





2 







8 




Pittsfield, 


3561 


35 


23 


12 


45 


30 


15 


35 


20 


15 


18 


17 


4 
















18 




Lanesborough, 


1192 


16 


12 


4 


19 


14 


5 


13 


10 


3 


9 


4 





1 





1 


8 








9 




FRANKLIN. 












































Deerfield, 


2003 


16 


3 


13 


12 


2 


10 


13 


1 


12 


12 


1 


1 


2 





4 


3 


2 





12 


8 


HAMPSHIRE. 












































Hadley, 


1686 


18 


1 


17 


25 


1 


24 


17 


1 


16 


13 


4 


1 








2 


4 








13 


13 


Amherst, 


2631 


15 


4 


11 | 


27 


6 


21 
532 


25 


4 
160 


21 

309 | 


17 


8 


o 
~24 _ 


2 
24 


1 


2 


3 


2 


2 


15 


13 


Totals, 


48446 1 


549 | 172J 


376d i 


754 


222 


480 


339 


111 


11 


51 1 


52 


24 


4 


262 1 



TABLEowance? 















s 


S x i 






s 


2a = 






o 




TOWNS. 






as 


bi s ra 
£ o & 




-3 

0) 


5 

3 

2 


Poo 
the 
pens 
red, 


Boston, 


) 




2493 


*Salem, 


J 




464 


*Marblehead, 


J 




198 


Lynn, 


> 




64 


Beverly, 
Gloucester, 


r 




220 
286 


Ipswich, 


) 




93 


Rowley, 


5 




40 


Newbury, 


) 




133 


*Newburyport, 
Essex, 


3 




405 
29 


Andover, 


) 




126 


Haverhill, 


3 




73 


# Cambridge, 


) 




125 


•Medford, 


) 




34 


*Malden, 


J 




24 


*Watertown, 


> 




130 


*» i.i 


[ 




17 




k 




of 



TABLE ™ f ^rsi: l iew of f ti,e , s r Tax and s,a,e A,Wan ^ 

Expenses for the Poor, during the last year. 



TOWNS 



Boston, 

*Salcm, 

*Marblehead, 

Lynn, 

Beverly, 

Gloucester, 

Ipswich, 

Rowley, 

Newbury, 

*Newburyport, 

Essex, 

-Andover, 

Haverhill, 

*Cambridge, 

*Medfoid, 

*Malden, 

*Watertown, 

Waltham, 

Littleton, 

Lexington, 

Marlborough, 

Chelmsford, 

Westford, 

Groton, 

Roxbury, 
*Dorchester, 
*Quincy, 
Taunton, 
Fairhaven, 
New Bedford, 
Middleborouch, 
Abington, 
Shrewsbury, 
Bolton, 
Westminster, 
Templeton, 
Springfield, 
Northampton, 
Greenfield, 
Canton, 
Stoughton, 
East Bridgewater, 
Framingham, 
Brookfield, 
Leominster, 
Brimfield, 
Monson, 

West Springfield, 
Granville, 
Westfield, 
Sandisfield, 
New Marlborough 
Tyringham, 
Sheffield, 
Egremont, 
Great Barrington, 
Stockbridge, 
West Stockbridge, 
Lenox, 
Pittsfield, 
Lanesborough, 
Deerfield. 
Hadley, 
Amherst, 




Note I. 



In the Towps which have an asterisk before them, the Overseers of the Poor are Surveyors of the Highways. 



2. The amount of the State Tax is $75,000. The State Allowances of the last year, during seven, months of which they were 
reduced to 70 cents a week for adults, and proportionally for children, amounted to $60,455 62.. 



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